Assess your risk of identity theft, and protect your personal information

On-line privacy ... and privacy of your personal information ... can be assessed and protected.


As with locking down your credit histories (see earlier posting), there are some web sites and services that can be of help. Here they are: 

• Assess your risk of identity theft at http://www.myidscore.com/
• Get a copy of your file from the Medical Information Bureau at http://www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html
• List yourself with the Direct Marketing Association’s opt-out service to reduce junk mail. https://www.dmachoice.org/MPS/
• Make sure all your phone numbers are on the national Do Not Call Registry. https://www.donotcall.gov/

It's also a good idea to make a photocopy of your passport and the contents of your wallet (fronts and backs of credit cards, licenses, etc.), and keep it somewhere safe. In case your wallet is stolen, you'll have a copy of the credit card numbers, the "magic numbers" on the back, and the phone number to call.