1. Shred - junk mail
   • unwanted credit card offers
   • notices
   • advertisements
   • sensitive information
   
   
2. Don't - carry your social security card, passport, or birth certificates in your wallet.
   • give your social security number unless absolutely necessary
   • put any other information besides name and address on checkbook
   • forget to take the sales receipts after a purchase
   
   
3. Review - credit report yearly
   • credit card statements monthly
   • bank statements monthly
   • sales receipts after a purchase
   
   
4. Respond quickly - if you've been denied credit. Find out the reason and request a copy of your credit report
   • if there's anything suspicious on your credit card statement, bank statement, etc.
   
   

• Equifax Tel # 888-766-0008
• Experian Tel # 888-397-3742
• TransUnion Corp. Tel # 800-680-7289

If you don't want the three major credit bureaus to sell your name to credit card companies, you can write to the three major credit bureaus or call (888) 5OPTOUT (567-8688). This will remove your name, for two years, from mailing and telemarketing lists that come from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.

In addition, you can also report the crime to the police department and close all existing credit card accounts. Ask the credit card company to note that the account was "closed at consumer's request." You can get replacement cards with new account numbers.

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