THESE STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN BY ANYONE IN ORDER TO
PREVENT THE THEFT OF YOUR IDENTITY. iPROTECT ENCOURAGES
EVERYONE TO PERFORM THESE STEPS WHETHER A CUSTOMER OF
iPROTECT OR NOT:
With iPROTECT protection in place, we will assist you
with the following fraud prevention steps when your ID
has been stolen, and we will advocate on your behalf
where needed. Without iPROTECT, you will need to do
these steps completely on your own.
Please click on item below to view details on each topic:
Mailing & Email Mailing ListsRegarding Your Smartphone:Regarding Your Wallet:Regarding Your Computer:Regarding Your Checks:Regarding Your Children:
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Remove your name from mail and e-mail marketing
lists. For mail, call the vendor and request
your name be removed. For e-mail, there should
be an unsubscribe option in the fine print of
the e-mail, else contact the vendor
directly.
-
Opt-out of pre-approved credit offers. Don't just
shred them after they come in. Call the company
and have your name removed.
-
Call your credit card companies and request they
omit your name and account from any information
sharing with partners and affiliates.
-
Turn off your GPS when not using the navigation.
When sites ask to allow sharing your location, do
not allow.
-
Install security software on your phone. Choose an
accredited program that provides auto-backup of
data, and will provide to lock your phone and can
wipe the data clean remotely if lost or stolen.
-
Be careful when downloading apps. Not all apps on
the store are safe. Read user reviews and research
the application
-
Stay off public Wi-Fi. This is the most common way
for malicious hackers to get access to information
on your phone.
-
Utilize the lock and password functions on your
phone.
-
Photocopy the contents of your wallet including
both sides of licenses, credit cards, etc. If you
lose your wallet, you will know account numbers
and phone numbers to call and cancel.
- Keep the photocopy in a secure location.
-
Carry a copy of your passport with you when you
travel, domestic or abroad. The copy will be
extremely useful if you lose your passport or ID.
-
Keep your card account numbers and toll-free
numbers handy so you can cancel them as quickly as
possible. The photocopies you make might be at
home
-
Keep your computer's anti-virus software current
and assure it is always running.
-
Assure that your computer's firewall is updated
and active at all times.
-
Use secure passwords and change them four times
per year. Secure pass-words should include
alpha and numeric digits, upper and lower
case, a special character, and be at least
eight digits long.
-
Never write a credit card account number on the
check. Use the last four digits only if you need
to make this kind of reference.
-
If you have a P.O. Box number, use that instead of
your street address on the check.
-
Never print or write your social security number
or your driver's license ID number on the check
unless absolutely required by the vendor and
only if it makes sense for them to ask.
-
Watch for junk mail in your child’s name.
Pre-approved credit card or financial offers
indicate they could have an active credit
file. If these occur, check the credit
history of your child even if you know they do not
have a credit history. Someone may have
stolen their social security number with full
knowledge it could be years before anyone accesses
credit information. Identity thieves know the
likelihood of getting caught is lower in these
situations. With no credit history to
contradict their information, ID thieves can use
any name and any birthdate with your child's
unused social security number.
-
Assure that your children understand the
importance of keeping their data private. They
should not share addresses, phone numbers or ID
numbers of any type on social networking sites.
-
Monitor your child's identity as you would your
own.
If you lose your wallet, credit cards, or
identification, or you suspect foul play:
File a police report immediately in the
jurisdiction where your cards/ID were stolen. This
proves your diligence to creditors.
Call the three national credit reporting bureaus
immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and
call the Social Security fraud line. Any company
that checks your credit will know your information
was stolen. They will have to contact you directly
to authorize new credit.
iPROTECT Privacy Advocates will assist customers with
cancellation and replacement of your ID cards, credit
and debit cards, library cards ... You name the card!
Customers can register all of their cards using the
WalletArmor tool after logging in to their account. Once
registered, all you need to do is call Member Services
if you lose any of your cards. They will take over from
there!