Follow these steps to keep yourself safer from ID thieves:➟ As discussed elsewhere in this chapter, everyone
above the age of 14 needs to actively monitor his
credit history by obtaining credit reports at least three
times a year.➟ Consider if you want all, part, or none of your infor-
mation viewable in online phone directory searches.
It usually costs money to keep your information pri-
vate (often referred to as a privacy tax), but the few
dollars it costs may be well worth it to you.➟ Check your county Web site for your property records
to be sure these do not also show your loan papers,
social security numbers or other information that is
not required by law. Check to see if birth, marriage,
and death certificates are available online, and if so,
how much information these contain. Demand that
sensitive information be removed.➟ If your identity is stolen, contact your bank(s) and
other financial institutions immediately. Contact
local law enforcement and file a report. Contact your
medical insurance company. Freeze your credit with
the three credit reporting companies. (Ideally, you
freeze this now and leave it frozen to avoid the
fraud.)➟ If you’re a victim of identity theft, go to the FTC’s
Identity Theft Web site (www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/
microsites/idtheft; see Figure 13-7) to get
information about additional steps you may need
to take.➟ Identity theft victims should alert their friends and
family. Your identity theft means friends and family
may also be affected, depending on the information
stolen or abused.276
Part III: Protecting Your Wealth and Your Health