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1. It’s a good idea to carry your social security card or birth certificate in your wallet because either document is good resource to easily identify you.

Wrong! Do not carry your social security card or birth certificate in your wallet or purse. If your purse or wallet is stolen, thieves can use your name to establish fraudulent credit cards, cell phone, and bank accounts in your name. Keep this information is a safe, secure place.

Correct! You should not carry your social security card or birth certificate in your wallet or purse. If your purse or wallet is stolen, thieves can use your name to establish fraudulent credit cards, cell phone, and bank accounts in your name. Keep this information is a safe, secure place.

2. Always keep a list of pin numbers and passwords in your wallet in case you forget what they are.

Wrong! Do not carry them in your wallet. If your wallet is stolen, thieves can and will use these numbers to access and deplete your accounts.

Correct! If you carry them in your wallet and your wallet is stolen, thieves can and will use these numbers to access and deplete your accounts.

3. Identity theft thieves steal personal information from bank statements, discarded credit card & ATM receipts, trash dumpsters, pre-approved credit card applications, stolen mail, theft of a wallet or passport, unsecured websites, sham telemarketing calls, computer viruses and spyware.

Correct! Thieves are becoming more and more sophisticated every day.

Wrong! Thieves are becoming more and more sophisticated every day.

4. Keep an accurate list of all credit cards and bank accounts in a secure place in case of an emergency. Include account numbers, telephone numbers and expiration dates. Update the list regularly.

Correct! When an emergency happens, being prepared with contact information is the best defense.

Wrong! When an emergency happens, being prepared with contact information is the best defense.

5. If any of your ID cards (e.g., driver's license, insurance, employee, etc.) contain your social security number, you should contact the issuer to change that to a different or random number.

Correct! Your social security number is a critical key to protecting your identity, so removing it from any ID cards you carry is very important.

Wrong! Your social security number is a critical key to protecting your identity, so removing it from any ID cards you carry is very important.

6. It is a good idea to carry many credit cards because you never know when you might need them and having many cards on hand proves your credit worthiness.

Wrong! Carry only the credit cards that you need. Extra cards increase your risk if the cards are stolen.

Correct! Carry only the credit cards that you need. Extra cards increase your risk if the cards are stolen.

7. Outgoing mail should be deposited in mailboxes at the Post Office rather than in unsecured mailboxes. If you are planning a vacation, discontinue the mail by calling the Post Office at 1-800-275-8777 or by going online to: https://holdmail.usps.com.

Correct! Thieves can break into unsecured mailboxes.

Wrong! Thieves can break into unsecured mailboxes.

8. Review all credit card and bank statements monthly for unusual activity or unauthorized charges.

Correct! All bank statements should be reviewed monthly for unusual activity and acted upon immediately if there is a question.

Wrong! All bank statements should be reviewed monthly for unusual activity and acted upon immediately if there is a question.

9. It costs $25 to check your credit report each year. You can order it online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Wrong! Your annual credit report is free. Check yearly to make certain there is no unusual activity going on.

Correct! Your annual credit report is free. Check yearly to make certain there is no unusual activity going on.

10. If you are a victim of identity theft, it isn’t necessary to file a report with the police if you have contacted the fraud department of any of the three major credit bureaus.

Wrong! If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department and complete a report as soon as possible. Keep a copy for yourself and give one to your creditors and credit bureaus.

Correct! If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department and complete a report as soon as possible. Keep a copy for yourself and give one to your creditors and credit bureaus.