BNSF News

Resource Protection Offers Identity Theft Protection Tips

2010-01-07

Identity theft protection is a significant way to protect yourself against the disastrous consequences of identity fraud.

However, you can also take steps of your own to supplement this protection. Learn more about identity theft, and then follow these safety tips to help protect your good name.

Biggest myths about identity theft

• Internet use puts you at greater risk for identity theft. Actually, 90 percent of data compromise takesplace offline, meaning most victims can pinpoint the source of the identity compromise. The No. 1 source for identity theft is still lost/stolen wallets or purses, credit cards and checkbooks.
• You are helpless to protect yourself. In more than 60 percent of identity theft cases, the point of compromise is someone the victim knows (co-worker, acquaintance, employee, etc.). The thieves get the information from home computers, mail, wallets/purses or credit cards. These sources are easy to protect.
• Identity theft is rare; it won't happen to me. Identity theft happens more often than you think. With 10 million victims per year, the chances are higher that identity theft could happen to you or someone in your family.
• The elderly have to worry the most about identity theft. Although the elderly and minors do have to guard against identity theft and may appear to be more vulnerable, the demographic with the highest identity theft rate is actually the 25- to 34-year-old bracket. This age range also has a higher average fraud amount compared to the elderly, meaning identity theft is more severe with this age demographic.

Identity theft safety tips

Don't assume that purchased identity-theft protection will mean you are safe from having your identity stolen. Follow these tips to help reduce the chance you are the victim of identity theft.

• Don't give out your Social Security number or account information.
• Carry in your wallet or purse only the credit cards you need.
• Shred all documents containing sensitive information before discarding.
• Store documents with identifying information in a secure, locked location.
• Replace paper bills with paperless options.
• Use "strong" passwords for your accounts, and change them often.
• Take checks directly to the post office rather than mailing them from home.
• Review your bank and credit card statements regularly.
• If you do not receive bills or statements on time, contact your lender immediately.
• Talk to your creditors about their zero-liability policies, if they have them.
• Immediately report any suspected fraud.

BNSF Headquarters

BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com