PNC STUDENT LOAN CENTER

Identity Theft Prevention

A thief reaching for a dropped wallet. A thief reaching for a dropped wallet.

Protecting your personal and financial information is the best way to prevent identity theft.

But there's more to it than just keeping track of your credit cards or leaving your Social Security Card at home. Today, your identity can be stolen without access to physical documents. So it's more important than ever to protect your digital information and to proactively monitor your accounts.

This assessment is intended to help you spot potential vulnerabilities in how you manage and monitor your data. After answering the questions below, you'll get personalized feedback with steps you can take today.

Step 1: How often do you engage in each of the following behaviors?

If a statement doesn't apply to you, select "Usually or N/A."

Click the button below to get started.

I check my credit report from each of the major credit reporting bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax) at AnnualCreditReport.com every year.

I review my bank and credit card statements every month for unrecognized charges.

I save receipts and check them against charges on my credit card and/or debit card statements.

I know how to contact my creditors if bills are not received on time.

I shred preapproved credit card offers, old bank or brokerage statements, old pay stubs, old tax records, and other documents with detailed personal information before throwing them away.

I avoid carrying my Social Security card or any other document that may have my Social Security number on it.

I avoid giving out my Social Security or bank account numbers to unsolicited callers or orally when others may be listening.

I have a post office box or secured mailbox for incoming mail.

I place outgoing mail in a secured collection box or drop if off at the post office.

I ask if disclosing a Social Security number or other personal information is absolutely required when completing certain transactions (like signing up for utility, cable or cell phone service).

When online, I avoid sites that don't use SSL encryption (for example, your browser displays an unlocked icon).

I avoid printing my driver's license number or Social Security number on personal checks.

I limit the number of credit cards I carry to only the cards I use and do not routinely carry my checkbook.

I avoid revealing my address or birthdate online and use restrictive privacy settings on social media websites.

I have the customer service phone numbers for my credit and debit cards so that I can report a lost card quickly.

I don't leave sensitive documents such as pay stubs or credit card statements at work or in other unsecured locations.

I don't leave wallets or sensitive documents in plain sight at home when roommates, visitors, cleaners, or other non-family individuals are present.

I have virus protection on my computer and keep it up to date.

My computers and other devices require a password to log in.

I avoid using easy to guess passwords or the same password for every website.

All done!

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