It is up to each of us to make SMART* handling of this information second nature, like locking your front door against burglary, wearing a seatbelt, and putting out your campfire.

Secure your identity and financial information.

Minimize risks.

Act responsibly.

Restrict access to only those who need the information.

Think before providing your identity data to requesters.

Lock Up Your Identity – The Top Ten List for Everyone.

1. Mail. Receive and drop off mail at secure locations such as a locking mail box or post office. Mail theft is frequently the identity thief’s starting point.

2. Car. Never leave your wallet, purse, checkbook, receipts, or bills in your car.

3. Computer. Don’t respond to e-mail requests for personal and financial information. Banks and merchants will not ask for this information by e-mail.

4. Telephone. Unless you initiated the phone call, don’t provide personal or financial information to callers claiming to be your bank, creditor, a charity, or the like.

5. Internet. Be alert when providing personal or financial information online. Do you see a lock in the bottom right corner and https? The “s” stands for “secure.” Is the address in the white bar at the top of your screen what you expect?

6. SSN. Be stingy with your social security number. Limit disclosures to those who must report tax related information to the Internal Revenue Service.

7. Opt Out. Take action on those opt-out notices you get in the mail. Call or write to prevent your personal and financial information being sold or shared with others. Reduce the number of pre-approved credit card offers you receive 1-888-5OPT OUT (they will ask for your SSN).

8. Passwords. Memorize them. Store written passwords in secure, locked place. Do not carry passwords with you.

9. Copy. Keep a copy of your wallet contents (front and back of cards) in a secure, locked place. This will help you act quickly if your wallet is lost or stolen.

10. Shred. When disposing of personal or financial information, shred it to protect it. A crosscut shredder is best.

Responsibility in Business – Five Questions for Businesses and Organizations.

1. Who has access? Limit access on a need to know basis for all employee and consumer identity and financial information you hold.

2. What do you need? Minimize risk to your pocketbook and reputation from loss or theft – collect only the personal and financial information you really need.

3. When you dispose of it, what must you do? State and federal laws require identity and financial information to be destroyed prior to disposal so that the content cannot be read or deciphered.

4. Where do you keep it? Store identity and financial information in a secure place.

5. Why responsibly handle employee and customer identity information? Because your reputation and pocketbook are at stake.

This Information Provided By:
King County Prosecutor’s Office
Complex Prosecutions and Investigations Division
500 Fourth Avenue, Room 840
Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-9010

Dated: February 22, 2007