Protect your identity at all times

Dear Savvy Senior,

With all the news last month about the identity theft of our U.S. veterans, it got me thinking about my own identity safety. What I can do to better protect myself?

Unidentified Senior

Dear Unidentified,

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ?identity theft? scandal last month was another stark reminder of how vulnerable we all are to this huge problem. Identity theft affects more than 10 million Americans every year ? many of whom are seniors. While there?s no ironclad protection against ID theft, and with many factors beyond your control, there are some things you can do to minimize your risks. Here?s what you should know.

Protect Yourself

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains access to your Social Security number (SSN), bank or credit card account number, or other identifying information and uses it to steal from you. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself:

? Review your monthly bank and credit card statements carefully for fraudulent activity and request a copy of your credit report every year and check it for errors. To get your free annual report, call 877-322-8228, or visit www.annualcreditreport.com.

? Don?t give out your SSN or financial information over the telephone, in person or over the Internet unless you initiated the contact.

? Make sure your SSN is not on anything that doesn?t require it, like your checks or drivers license.

? Try to add passwords to all your financial accounts, so that anyone who calls needs more than your name, address and SSN to impersonate you.

? If you use the Internet, delete without replying to any suspicious e-mail requests.

? Buy a paper shredder and shred all records, statements, mail solicitations or other papers you throw out that has your financial or personal information.

? Secure your mail. Empty your mailbox quickly, or get a locked mailbox or P.O. Box.

? Don?t carry your Social Security card or any other card that has your ID number including your Medicare card. Instead, carry a photocopy of the front and back of the card and black out your SSN.

? Take your name off marketing lists. You can cut down the junk mail and e-mail you receive at www.dmaconsumers.org. To stop telemarketers, call the National Do Not Call Registry at 888-382-1222 or visit www.donotcall.gov. And, to opt out of future credit card solicitations visit www.optoutprescreen.com, or call the credit reporting industry 888-567-8688 (they will ask for your SSN).

? Freeze your credit files. In 17 states you can stop ID theft by putting a freeze on your credit files so no one can open new lines of credit in your name. For more information or to find out which states offer this service visit www.idtheftcenter.org/vg124.shtml.

? A credit monitoring service is another way to keep a close eye on your credit report. The three credit bureaus offer this service for around $10 to $15 per month.

Take Action

If you suspect you?ve become a victim of identity theft there are several steps you can take to help protect yourself, but act quickly.

? Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax 800-525-6285, Experian 888-397-3742 or Trans Union 800-680-7289) and place a ?fraud alert? on your credit file.

The alert lasts 90 days. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be notified and you will be sent free copies of your credit report. (Note: you can extend the alert to seven years, but only if you?ve been a victim of identity theft and can provide a police report.)

? File a report with your local police department and get a copy of the report in case your insurance company, bank, credit card companies or others need proof of the crime. Also, file complaint with the Federal Trade Commission ID theft hotline at 877-438-4338.

? Close the accounts that you know, or believe have been, tampered with or opened fraudulently, and dispute any unauthorized charges.

Savvy Tips: For more information on identity theft visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Military veterans, active-duty, National Guardsmen, Reserves and their family members that have questions about the recent data security breach should call the VA hotline at 800-333-4636 or visit www.firstgov.gov.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.