Protect yourself against identity theft

Protect yourself against identity theft. Wisconsin's Bureau of Consumer Protection recommends the following:

Check your credit report frequently. Obtain your credit report free from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, each year by calling 877-322-8228.
Check your mail daily. Shred credit card offers, bills or any items that contain personal or financial information.
Check your bills and bank statements monthly. Look at your statements as soon as you get them to see if there are unauthorized charges or withdrawals. If there are, report them immediately.
Protect your computer and smartphone. Verify computer security settings to make certain there is firewall, virus, spam and spyware protection on your computer. Log off or lock your computer between uses.
Guard your social security number. Don't carry your Social Security card with you, and don't use the number as a PIN or password if possible.
Keep your personal information personal. Give out personal information like account, credit card or social security numbers only when you initiate the contact and can verify it as a legitimate source.
Be secure in your dorm room or apartment. For your personal safety and identity's safety, lock your dorm or apartment at all times. Keep sensitive documents in a safe place, locked up.
Use credit card smarts. Avoid leaving a credit card as a bar tab. Limit the number of credit cards in your name so you can keep track of expenses.
Update your forwarding information. Because college students move frequently, notify the United States Postal Service at www.usps.com to notify them of your forwarding address.
Limit the number of identification cards you carry. If you don't need it, don't carry it with you — especially documents like your birth certificate and passport.

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