Are You at Risk for Identity Theft?
Test Your "Identity Quotient"
[Interactive Version]

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Privacy Rights Clearinghouse / UCAN
Revised November 2007.


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Are You at Risk for Identity Theft?
Test Your "Identity Quotient"
[Interactive Version]

I receive several offers of pre-approved credit every week. (5 points)

I do not shred these offers before putting them in the trash (cross-cut shredder preferred).  (5 points)

I carry my Social Security card in my wallet. (10 points)

My state driver's license has my SSN printed on it, and I have not contacted the Department of Motor Vehicles to request a different number. (10 points)

I do not believe someone would break into my house to steal my personal information. (10 points)

I do not use a firewall on my personal computer. (10 points)

I do not have a P.O. Box or a locked or secured mailbox. (5 points)

I use an unlocked, open box at work or at my home to drop off my outgoing mail. (10 points)

I carry my military ID in my wallet at all times. (It displays my SSN.) (10 points)

I do not shred or tear up banking and credit information when I throw it in the trash (cross-cut shredder preferred). (10 points)

     

I throw away old credit and debit cards without shredding or cutting them up. (10 points)

I provide my Social Security number whenever asked, without asking questions as to how that information will be used and safeguarded. (10 points)

I provide my Social Security number orally without checking to see who might be listening nearby. (5 points)

I leave my purse or wallet in my car. (10 points)

I am required to use my Social Security number at work as an employee ID or at college as a student ID number. (5 points)

My Social Security Number is printed on my employee badge that I wear at work or in public, or it is posted on my time card in full view of others, or is on other documents frequently seen by many others in my workplace. (10 points)

I have my Social Security number and/or driver's license number printed on my personal checks. (10 points)

I am listed in a "Who's Who" guide. (5 points)

I carry my insurance card (including Medicare) in my wallet and either my Social Security number or that of my spouse is the ID number. (10 points)

I have not ordered a copy of my credit reports for at least 2 years. (20 points)

I do not believe that people would root around in my trash looking for credit or financial information, or for documents containing my SSN. (10 points)

I do not verify that all financial (credit card, checking) statements are accurate monthly. (10 points)



Each one of these questions represents a possible avenue for an identity thief.

 

for your total, then see where you stand, below.
 

Your Score
Understanding Your Score:

100 + points - Recent surveys* indicate that 7-10 million people were victims of ID theft last year. You are at high risk. We recommend you purchase a paper shredder, become more security-aware in document handling, and start to question why people need your personal data.

50-99 points - Your odds of being victimized are about average.

0-49 points - Congratulations!. You have a high "IQ." Keep up the good work and don't let your guard down now.

For a list of tips on reducing your risk of identity theft, read our Fact Sheet 17, "Coping with Identity Theft: Reducing the Risk of Fraud," at www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17-it.htm .

Remember, you cannot prevent identity theft. Criminals can commit identity theft relatively easily because of lax credit industry practices and the ease of obtaining SSNs. But you can reduce your risk of fraud by following the tips in Fact Sheet 17.

The most important advice we can give you is to check your 3 credit reports at least once a year. If you are a victim of identity theft, you will catch it early by checking your credit reports regularly. Your annual free credit reports are available from (877) 322-8228 or at www.annualcreditreport.com.

 

 

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Copyright © 2007. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse/UCAN. For distribution of this fact sheet, see our copyright and reprint guidelines. The PRC does not allow any of its documents to be posted on other web sites. This copyrighted document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit, educational purposes only. The text of this document may not be altered without express authorization of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. This fact sheet should be used as an information source and not as legal advice. PRC fact sheets contain information about federal laws as well as some California-specific information. Laws in other states may vary. Overall, our fact sheets are applicable to consumers nationwide.

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