Identity Theft Risk Assessment

This exercise helps to spot vulnerabilities in how you manage your personal information. By protecting your information, it's harder for thieves to steal it.

To protect your privacy, no information from this exercise is saved. If you would like to save your feedback, please cut and paste the recommendations into a separate document.

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Please state how often you do the following:

I check my credit report from each of the major credit reporting bureaus (Transunion, Experian, and Equifax) at AnnualCreditReport.com every year.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I review my bank, credit card, and related account statements every month for unrecognized charges.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I save receipts and check them against charges on my credit card and/or debit card statements.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I know the billing cycle for all of my bills (credit card, utility, cell phone, etc.) and know how to contact my creditors if bills are not received on time.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I shred or burn preapproved credit card offers, old bank or brokerage statements, old pay stubs, old tax records, and other documents with detailed personal information before throwing them away.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I avoid carrying my Social Security card or any other document that may have my Social Security number on it.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I avoid giving out my Social Security or bank account numbers to unsolicited callers or orally (in a store for example) where others may be listening.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I have a post office box or secured mailbox for incoming mail.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I place outgoing mail in a secured collection box or drop if off at the post office.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I ask if disclosing a Social Security number or other personal information is absolutely required when completing certain transactions (like signing up for utility, cable or cell phone service).

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I buy only from websites that use SSL encryption (your browser displays a "locked" icon).

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I avoid printing my driver's license number or Social Security number on personal checks.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I limit the number of credit cards in my wallet to cards I will be using and do not routinely carry my checkbook.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I limit the amount of personal information "out there" by not revealing my address or birthdate for coupon or contest websites and by using restrictive privacy settings on social media websites.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I have the customer service phone numbers for all credit or debit card accounts so that I can report a lost card quickly.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I do not leave sensitive documents such as pay stubs or credit card statements at work or in other unsecured locations.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I am generally "security conscious" and do not leave wallets or sensitive documents unattended or in plain sight at home when roommates, visitors, cleaners, home contractors, or other individuals are present.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I have virus protection on my computer and keep it up to date.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

My computer(s) require a password to log in.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

I avoid using easy to guess passwords or the same password on every website.

Never or rarely About half of the time Usually or Always

TIP: If the form doesn't submit, check for skipped questions in red.

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