Here are a few simple steps you can take to minimize your risk of fraud:

Avoid sharing personal information over the phone or email: Fraudsters may claim to represent your bank, lender, or other organizations you’re involved with to try to get your personal information. If a situation seems suspicious, contact the company directly to confirm if it’s a legitimate request.

Destroy documents that contain private information: Don’t leave credit card statements, bank deposit receipts, or other documents that contain your private information laying around. Instead, tear them up once you’re done with them so that no one can get their hands on them.

Practice safety online: To keep your data safe online, it’s wise to stick to secure web pages. You can look for an image of a lock or “https” at the beginning of the web address to ensure the page is secure.

Create strong passwords and PINs: When creating a password or PIN, don’t use information that could be guessed like a family member’s name, a pet’s name, or a street name. Come up with a unique password containing numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters for maximum protection.

Add a credit lock or freeze on your reports: A credit lock or freeze prevents anyone from accessing your credit reports and applying for new credit under your name. If you’re not planning on applying for new credit yourself, locking or freezing your reports is a great way to prevent fraud.

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