15 Steps to Reduce Your Exposure

Many of you that have attended my lectures around the country have emailed me asking me for a copy of the 15 Steps to Reduce Your Exposure that I wrote about in my book "Who Is You: The Coming Epidemic of Identity Theft", so here it is. Please share this with everyone and anyone. Additional tips can be found in the book.
The book can be ordered from this site by ordering the actual book or downloading a pdf version.

1. Continuous Monitoring of your credit history with the three major Credit Repositories.
2. Create unique passwords and personal identification numbers (PIN).
3. Guard your mail. Do not use unsecured mailboxes for outgoing mail. Remove mail from your own mailbox promptly. Install a lock on your mailbox both at home and at the office.
4. Guard your Social Security. If you are asked for your Social security number, ask why it is needed. Never give SS# to people or companies you do not know.
5. Be careful online. Only purchase items on-line from reputable companies that have secure websites for payment.
6. Examine all charge accounts every month to prevent unauthorized charges.
7. Ask the national credit reporting agencies not to give your name to solicitors. (credit reporting agencies sell lists to credit card marketers and others.) To remove your name, call 888-567-8688 (888-5-OPT-OUT.)
8. Remove your Social Security number from your driver’s license and personal bank checks.
9. Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse on a daily basis.
10. Shred all documents and mail that contains personal information before placing it in your trash.
11. Never release sensitive information over the telephone or email unless you have initiated the communication.
12. Use caution while on computer. Update virus protection, do not download files from strangers, use firewalls, do not store financial information on your laptop, delete any personal information stored on your computer before you dispose of it (“wipe” utility program) and read website privacy policies.
13. Remove your name, home mailing address, home telephone number, and home e-mail address from many national lists by opting out of Direct Marketing Association’s marketing lists.
Write: Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 282
Carmel, NY 10512-0282
14. Shield your hand when using your PIN at an ATM, a point of sale terminal at a store, or when making long distance phone calls with your phone card.
15. Place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. By placing your number on the registry you will greatly reduce telemarketing calls. Registration is free.
http://www.donotcall.gov/ Call toll-free 1-888-382-1222