Sutter County Sheriff's Department
www.suttersheriff.org

Identity Theft Prevention Tips

Don't carry your social security card with you.
Be careful with receipts, take them with you. Don't throw them in public receptacles.
Use the post office instead of leaving mail in your mailbox.
Get a locking mailbox.
Shred anything with your name, address, date of birth, SSN or any credit solicitations.
Carefully review all statements, including bank, telephone, cable, cellular phone etc.
Request your credit report quarterly.
If you don't receive your mail for more than a couple days, check with the post office to see if there has been a change of address.
If statements are late, call creditors to see if a change of address has been filed.
Do not have your driver's license number or social security number printed on your checks.
Do not release personal information over the phone or Internet.
Order your social security benefits and earnings statement yearly.
Remove your name from Direct Marketing Association mailing and telephone lists.
Consider not listing your phone number.
Consider not using a professional qualification (Dr., Ph.D., and Atty. Etc.) in the phone book.
Do not carry PIN or passwords with you.
Never have new checks mailed to you; pick them up from the bank.