Preventing Identity Theft

Bluffton resident Clarence Ostrander has 5,456 reasons to warn people about protecting important information.

In Friday's News-Banner, Ostrander shares how someone obtained his life insurance policy number and used that to cash in his policy for $5,456.38. You can read today's paper to learn more.

Though Ostrander's story focuses on stealing his insurance identity, identity theft in general can be a major crime, and the Indiana State Police recommends taking the following steps to help prevent identity theft.

• Minimize the amount of personal financial information you carry. Do not carry your Social Security card with you unless you need it. This includes government-issued cards with that number on them. Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary.
• Memorize passwords and PIN numbers. Do not carry them.
• Keep financial information in a secure place in your home or bank safe deposit box.
• Shred documents before throwing them away. Purchase a cross-cut shredder to better protect your information.
• Do not give sensitive information to unsolicited callers. Legitimate businesses will not make unsolicited calls asking for your Social Security or bank account numbers. Caller ID information can be spoofed, so do not rely on the name and number that is on your box. If in doubt, hang up and dial your vendors directly. Many methods of fraud are tied to bogus callers seeking information collection opportunities.
• Shield your hand when entering your PIN at a bank ATM, store checkouts, or when making long distance calls with a calling card. This prevents security cameras, cell phone cameras or people near you from acquiring your pin. Shred ATM slips.
• Pick up new checks or credit cards at your bank rather than having them delivered to your home. Do not print your driver's license or Social Security number on your checks.
• If your bank or credit card statement does not arrive on time, call to make sure they sent it to the proper address. Also contact the Post Office to see if a change of address has been filed in your name. A thief may steal or divert your statements to hide the theft and use these as proof of their “new” identity.
• When traveling, you are even more vulnerable to ID thieves. Keep all personal belongings locked in hotels safes/safe deposit boxes or with you. This includes prescription bottles that have personal information on them.

To help prevent someone from stealing your insurance information, you should regularly examine your annual insurance statements and shred them when you are done. You should also consult with your insurance agent on a regular basis to ensure that