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Minimize Your Risk
In the course of a busy day, you may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail your tax returns, call home on your cell phone, order new checks, or apply for a credit card. Everyday transactions that you may never give a second thought to are an identity thief's bread and butter. Each of these transactions requires the sharing of personal information: your bank and credit card account numbers; your income, Social Security number and name, address and phone numbers, to name a few. While you can't prevent identity theft, you can minimize your risk by managing your personal information wisely.

Catching Identity Theft Early
Sometimes an ID thief can strike even when you've been very careful. One of the best ways to catch identity theft is to regularly check your credit record. Order your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus each year and make sure all the information is correct. Also, follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks.

Identity Theft Resources

Opt out Services From Telemarketing
You've probably been on the other end of all those solicitations ending up in your email, mailbox and phone calls. Those offers can really pile up and are extremely annoying to many people. There is a way to reduce your bulk mail advertisements. There are three lists to opt out from. There is opting out from telephone, email and mail. The Directory below supplies you with the information to "Opt Out"

DMA - DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION
Opting out by phone
-Telephone Services
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735
212-768-7277

Opting out by mail
-Mail Service
PO Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

Opt out by email
www.e-mps.org

The Credit Bureaus
There are three national credit bureaus. Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. These credit bureaus share your personal information with telemarketers, insurance companies and financial services companies. You can opt out with these companies as well simply by calling the designated phone number.

Opt out from the credit bureaus
1-888-567-8688

Opting out from other directories
There are several other directories that carry information about you especially if you are listed in any phone book, voter's registration or if you're a homeowner.

Haines Criss Cross
1-800-562-8262

To opt out by mail use this simple letter.
To: List Service
Date: today's date

To whom it may concern,

I am aware that I am listed in your directory. At my request, please remove my name from these lists effective immediately. Below is the information you need to complete my request.

Your full name:
Your current address:
Previous mailing address:
Your signature:

Laws governing Identity Theft

• ID Theft Laws by State
• All Federal Identity Laws

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 2002
FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed Credit Report Rule
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (HR 2622)
Credit Repair Organizations Act
Electronic Fund Transfer Act
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
Fair Credit Reporting Act
Identity Theft And Assumption Deterrence Act

FTC Releases Survey of Identity Theft in U.S. 27.3 Million Victims in Past 5 Years, Billions in Losses for Businesses and Consumers	Complete Identity Theft Resource Center Information on how to deal with and avoid Identity Theft