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Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity theft, the fastest growing crime in the world, has victimized over 11 million Americans. 
 
“The Camden County Division of Security reminds everyone to safeguard their credit cards, driver’s licenses, social security numbers, date of birth, and other personal identification.  These items can net criminals thousands of dollars in a very short amount of time,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr.
 
Privacy tips:
 
  • Run a credit report on yourself to see if there are any unknown credit inquires or unauthorized accounts.
  •  Reconcile your check and credit card statements in a timely fashion, challenge purchases that you did not make. 
  • Limit the number of credit cards you have to reduce exposure. Cancel inactive accounts. 
  • Destroy all unused pre-approved credit card and loan applications.  The mailbox thief only has to fill them out and change the address. 
  • Never give an important number out, your driver’s license, credit card, bank account, date of birth, or social security number to anyone you don’t know over the telephone. 
  • Safeguard your credit, debit, and ATM card receipts and shred them before disposing of them.
  • Shred your bank statement and any tax documents   when you dispose of them. 
  • Don’t give out your PIN or write them on your credit cards or your ATM. 
  • Keep a list or photocopy all credit and identification cards you carry with you, including front and back, so you can quickly call the issuers to inform them about missing or stolen cards. 
  • Don’t give too much personal information on your family web site.  Full names, dates of birth, and addresses are too much information to post.  By obtaining your “place of birth,” the identity thief can possibly obtain your duplicate birth certificate.