Identity theft is the nation’s fastest growing crime. If you become a victim of identity theft, it can take years to restore your credit and clear your name. The University of Oklahoma takes precautions to protect the identities of their faculty, staff, and students, but there are also a few things you can do to help protect yourself. We’ve compiled a quick list of Do’s and Don’ts below that we hope you’ll use to help ensure your good name belongs only to YOU.

Do's and Don'ts

DO:
     • Only enter your sensitive personal information (social security number, credit card        numbers, date of birth) on trusted sites.
     • Immediately contact your credit card company about charges on your credit card that        you didn’t make.
     • Find out why your card is unexpectedly denied.
     • Shred receipts, bills, and other documents that might have personal information written        on them.
     • Obtain a copy of your credit report periodically. Active accounts that you do not        recognize could indicate fraudulent activity.

DON’T:
     • Share your password with anyone, even family and close friends.
     • Ignore calls from creditors about charges. This could be the first sign that your identity        has been stolen.
     • Reply to e-mails that request personal information. These messages are called        phishing messages, and they are a common tool of identity thieves.
     • Leave paperwork that contains personal information lying around for others to see        and steal.

What to do if you suspect your identity is stolen

     • File a report with OUPD and obtain a copy of this report or the report number
     • Notify one of the three credit reporting agencies to put in place a fraud alert
     • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission or reach them at 1-877-IDTHEFT).
     • Notify your financial institutions of the suspicion. Think about opening new accounts        with unique Personal Identification Numbers and passwords.