Protect yourself from Identity Theft

Order Your Credit Report

Regularly monitoring your credit report is the most important step you can take to safeguard your credit and limit the harm an identity thief might cause.

    Nevadans can obtain a FREE copy of their credit reports compiled by each of the three national credit reporting agencies. A federal law entitles you to one free copy of your credit report from each credit reporting agency every twelve months. If you stagger your requests, you can monitor your credit record as often as every four months at absolutely no cost to you. More resources

      Keep in mind, however, there is only one authorized source to get a free credit report under federal law. Just go to www.annualcreditreport.com, call toll-free 1-877-322-8228, or write to P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281.

        • Never give out personal or financial information over the phone.
        • Thoroughly review all financial statements for any unusual activity. Immediately contact the company if an item looks suspicious.
        • Shred or destroy credit card statements, bills, insurance papers or bank statements before throwing them out.
        • When making a credit card purchase, ask for the carbons if the retailer is not using carbonless forms.
        • Carry only one or two credit cards in your wallet.
        • Cancel all unused credit card accounts. 
        • Ask about information security procedures in your workplace. Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that records are kept in a secure location. Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well.
        • Do not carry your Social Security Card in your wallet.
        • If you think an identity thief is using your Social Security number, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271. 
        • Remove your name from the marketing lists of credit-reporting agencies by calling the Credit Reporting Industry opt-out phone number: (888) 567-8688.
        • Remove your name from mailing lists by contacting the Direct Marketing Association at:

          Mail Preference Service
          Attention: Dept. 9301235
          Direct Marketing Association
          P.O. Box 643
          Carmel, NY 10512

            • Be wary of anyone calling to “confirm” personal or financial information. Often, these are criminals trying to obtain those facts under the guise of “confirmation”.
            • Release your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary or when required by law. 
            • When creating passwords and PINS, do not use anything that could be discovered easily by thieves.
            • Memorize all your passwords and PINS. 
            • Keep a list or photocopy of all your credit cards, so you can quickly contact your creditors in case your cards are lost or stolen. Do the same with bank accounts.
            • Never toss ATM and credit card receipts in a public trash container.
            • Watch the mail when you are expecting a new credit card. Immediately contact the issuer if the credit card does not arrive. 
            • Avoid paying by credit card if you think the business does not use adequate safeguards to protect your personal information.
            • Be careful before you use a credit card or supply personal information online.