Identity theft prevention tips

Identity theft refers to the preparatory stage of acquiring and collecting someone
else’s personal information for criminal purposes. Prevention is the best way to deal
with this crime:

• Identity theft can occur over the Internet or telephone, or via fax or regular mail.
Therefore, be particularly wary of unsolicited e-mails, telephone calls or mail
attempting to extract personal or financial information from you.

• Ask yourself if you really need all of the identity documents you carry in your wallet
or purse. Remove any you don’t need and keep them in a secure place instead.

• Periodically check your bank and credit card statements and report any irregularities
promptly to the relevant financial institution.

• During transactions, it’s safer to swipe your cards yourself than it is to allow a cashier
to do it for you. If you must hand over your card, never lose sight of it.

• Always shield your personal identification number when using an ATM or a PIN pad.

• Memorize all personal identification numbers for payment cards and telephone
calling cards. Never write them on the cards.

• Familiarize yourself with billing cycles for your credit and debit cards.

• Trash bins are a goldmine for identity thieves. Make sure you shred personal and
financial documents before putting them in the garbage.

• When you change your address, make sure you notify the post office and all relevant
financial institutions (your bank and credit card companies).