Here is a short list of things to consider when safeguarding your personal information:

• When disposing of documents containing the personal information of anyone in your household, shred them. This includes pre-approved credit card and loan offers received in the mail.
• Consider deleting much of the pre-printed information on your personal checks like your driver’s license, social security number and telephone number.
• Ask your Doctor, Dentist, Auto Mechanic, Grocery Store and anyone else who requires your personal information how they safeguard it. You can always refuse to provide it.
• Change your computer, internet and banking passwords on a regular basis. Never write your password(s) down, use different passwords for different accounts / functions.
• Never leave your personal information lying around the house, have a safe/secure spot to keep it in a spot normally off limits to visitors and service providers.
• Never provide your Social Security Number, account numbers, PIN’s driver’s license numbers or any other personal information over the telephone.
• Don’t allow your debit or credit card to leave your sight when making purchases or paying other bills.
• When shopping online make sure the online store uses a secure server.
• Remember Wisconsinites are entitled to receive free credit reports from the three major reporting agencies. You can visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 for more information.