Identity Theft
Learn how to keep your identity safe
Knowing what identity theft is
A form of stealing someone's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person's name.
What you can do to prevent it
- Not carrying extra credit cards, your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport with you outside the house can help you prevent identity theft.
- To prevent identity theft, shred your receipts, credit card offers, bank statements, returned checks and any other sensitive information before throwing it away.
- Doing so makes it harder for identity thieves to discover these codes, and makes it easier for you to prevent identity theft.