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Helpful Tips to Protect You From Identity Theft

Posted on: December 9, 2022 - 12:48pm
identity theft

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your identity to commit fraud. During the holiday season, people tend to make a greater number of purchases than they do during the rest of the year, which means that they may face an increased risk of identity theft. Make your holiday season safe and enjoyable by following these helpful tips from the Croton-on-Hudson Police Department. 

There are many ways that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from identity theft. Below are simple steps that you can take now to reduce your risk:

Get your free annual credit report. Getting your credit report can help protect your credit history from mistakes, errors, or signs of identity theft. Visit this page from the Federal Trade Commission to learn more. 

Consider a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, which means you — or others — won’t be able to open a new credit account while the freeze is in place. Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen. Learn more from the Federal Trade Commission here. 

Here are more some helpful tips to help you protect yourself from scammers and identity thieves: 

  • Never give out more information than is needed, and do not respond to unsolicited phone calls and e-mails. Keep your bank and credit cards safe. When banking or shopping using the Internet, be sure the site you are using offers a secure check out process. Tip for checking if a website is secure: the URL address of a secure page will contain the letter "s" for secure. What you should see is "https://". If you don't see the "s", then the site is not secure. 
  • When using an ATM, cover the pin pad with your free hand or object such as a purse or wallet, making sure no other items of importance are facing up.   Feel all around the card reader area prior to inserting your card.  Scammers will at times, insert a card reader into the bank reader to retrieve your bank card numbers.  The pin pad may also be cloned, making it possible for thieves to copy your PIN. Request a 'tap' type of ATM card to prevent having to insert the card.
  • Check your financial information regularly. Bank statements and credit card bills should be checked each month for charges you may not have made. Challenge any unusual charges on your statements.
  • Use the US Postal Service’s free Informed Delivery service available on their website to have a daily email with visuals of the mail you are to receive. www.usps.com
  • When possible, bring your mail that includes a check to the inside Post Office box.  Thieves have used various means to steal letters out of the postal boxes not inside the lobby and home mailboxes.  Checks can be “washed” to change the amount of the check and personal information can be stolen.
  • Read this article from the Croton Police Department to learn about common scams and how to spot them. 

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam or identity theft, call the Croton Police Department at 914-271-5177. Visit ftc.gov/idtheft for more prevention tips and additional resources.