Quizzle.com, the web's only true free credit score and report provider, offers you tips and tricks to avoid, combat and recover from identity theft.

1. Quizzle’s Identity Theft Basics

2. Quizzle’s Identity Theft Basics
Guidebook
Table of
Contents...
1. Identity Theft and Your Credit
2. How to Avoid Identity Theft
3. Fixing Your Credit After Identity Theft
GET THIS GUIDEBOOK!

3. 1. Identity Theft and Your Credit

4. Identity Fraud Myths & Prevention
MYTH: ID Theft only happens to others.
MYTH: Criminals don’t know victims personally.
MYTH: Most ID Theft occurs online.
MYTH: Protecting Social Security # is enough.
So, how can you effectively protect
yourself?
1. Never carry checkbooks around
2. Monitor your credit regularly.
3. Change your passwords routinely.
4. Shred sensitive documents.
5. Use anti-virus software.

5. Identity Theft: By the Numbers
• 1 in 1.43 (70% of) U.S. ADULTS use the internet
regularly. That’s 175 million people.
• 1 in 1.45 (69% of) U.S. ADULTS make purchases
online.
• 1 in 18.22 (5.5% of) HOUSEHOLDS experience an
identity theft.
• 1 in 5.56 (18% of) I.D THEFT VICTIMS suffer long-
term problems, usually due to multiple incidents of
fraud, not caught until it’s too late.
• 1 in 21.28 (4.7% of) I.D. THEFT VICTIMS lose $5000
or more due to the theft.
• 270,000 I.D. THEFTS REPORTED to the Federal
Trade Commission last year alone.

6. Taxes & Identity:
How to File One and Protect the Other
1. ONLINE SECURITY: Before filing returns online, make
sure the address starts with “https.” The ‘s’ at the end
of ‘http’ means secure server, which encrypts personal
information.
2. AVOID EMAIL & FILE SHARING: Never email copies of
returns to anyone, even the IRS. Also, avoid using file
sharing sites to send returns.
3. MAIL SECURELY: When submitting returns via snail mail,
don’t put them in a personal mailbox with the flag up—
you’re signaling thieves there’s information for the
taking. Mail from a post office location.

7. 5 Reasons to Stop Fearing Your Credit
Report
Many avoid credit reports because they fear what’s there. Don’t panic! Here’s why:
• It’s usually not that bad. Many things you may be worried about might
not have even been reported to the bureaus. Get over your fear and
take a look!
• Self credit checks don’t hurt. Many still think pulling their own report
hurts their score. Not so!
• Mistakes are common. Maybe you’ve made some mistakes—but odds are,
so have the bureaus!
• Bad credit will only get worse. Stop credit score hemorrhaging by
knowing what to work on.
• Credit improvement isn’t that hard. Maybe you are in bad credit shape.
Get to work fixing it!

8. 2. How to Avoid Identity Theft

9. 4 Things to Look for on Your Credit Report
Look for these red flags on your credit reports:
1. Personal info that’s wrong. Is your name right? Address
correct? Mix-ups happen, and that can mean trouble for your
scores.
2. Public records inaccuracies. Judgments, bankruptcies, and
liens stay on reports for a fixed amount of time. If they
stay too long, they can hurt.
3. Unfamiliar accounts/activity. See accounts you don’t
recognize or you closed? Red flag! Someone could be using
them without your knowledge.
4. Lingering inquiries. Credit inquiries from new credit lines,
insurance companies, and employers should tick off reports
after two years.

10. 10 Quick Ways to Stop ID Theft Cold
1. Be alert; shield your PIN# from sight
2. Don’t carry your Social Security card
3. Send/receive sensitive mail from Post Offices
4. Review all financial statements carefully
5. Shred all unwanted personal documents
6. Review credit reports regularly
7. Rarely (if ever) give personal information out over the
phone
8. Don’t carry more credit cards than you need
9. Use a filing system so you know where important
information is at all times
10. Use caution when making purchases online

11. 3 Common Scams to Avoid
AUTO SCAMS
Beware of these red flags:
• Out-of-state vehicles
• Dealers requiring that you wire them money
• Prices that seem “too good to be true”
ONLINE SCAMS
Beware of:
• Phishing” sites that look like your bank’s
• Emails asking you to update information
• Requests to reply to, or downloading things from, unsolicited emails.
Call the company’s official, direct phone number if you’re suspicious)
PHONE SCAMS
If someone calls, threatens legal action, or claims to be law enforcement:
• Place fraud alerts on cards and credit reports
• Report the matter to your local police department

12. 10 Ways to Protect Your Home
Burglars don’t just steal valuables, heirlooms and property - they can also steal
your identity.
1. Get a home security system
2. Secure all windows and other openings
3. Keep property well-lit
4. Keep a tidy yard and deny thieves hiding places
5. Don’t show off empty boxes from new purchases in the trash!
6. Protect your identity; keep info in lockboxes, shred unwanted
documents
7. Burglars like unoccupied homes; make your house seem ‘lived
In’ with lights on timers, etc.
8. Make friends with trusted neighbors
9. Keep inventory of valuables, in case of burglary
10. ‘Think like a thief’—examine home’s vulnerability

13. 3. Fixing Credit After an Identity Theft

14. 10 Steps to Fight Identity Theft
1. File a police report or affidavit stating your ID has been stolen
or compromised
2. Obtain copies of your 3 credit reports
3. Make studious notes of suspicious activity
4. File disputes on suspect items with each bureau
5. Follow-up with each credit bureau
6. Notify bureaus—in writing—and request a fraud alert be
placed on your credit
7. Put a freeze on your credit, denying unauthorized access
8. Contact the Federal Trade Commission and insist fraudulent
accounts be closed
9. If thieves opened new cards, contact issuers and insist they
be closed
10. Notify bill collectors of pending fraud situation

15. 7 Ways to Respond to Identity
Theft
1.Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
2.File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
3.File a police report or sworn affidavit
4.Contact and notify banks and creditors
5.Keep good records and make an ID Theft file,
documenting the process
6.Contact the post office in case of stolen mail
7.Notify the Social Security Administration about
the identity theft

16. 5 Ways to Protect Yourself from
Cybercrime
1. Don’t save credit card information online. Use sophisticated
passwords and don’t save credit card numbers on online store
accounts.
2. Keep credit card numbers and PINs to yourself. Never write
PIN #s on credit cards!
3. Beware of Wi-fi networks. Be sure to change the password
on your wireless router.
4. Be careful what you post on social media. This is pretty self-
explanatory. Play it safe.
5. Make sure you’re protected at work. Having a separate
computer workstation for financial interactions and
processing
is a good idea.

17. Fraud Alerts vs. Credit Freezes
If you suspect you’ve been the victim of identity theft, you can request
a credit freeze from the credit bureaus to essentially seal your credit
report. This makes credit reports inaccessible, unless you give specific
authorization.
With a fraud alert, a notice is placed on your credit file requesting
creditors verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. This usually
involves a phone call.
It typically costs $3 to $10 to freeze your credit report. However, if you’ve
been a victim of identity theft, you may be able to freeze at no cost. The
costs vary by state.
How do I lift the freeze when needed?
A temporary lift can be used when you need a third party to access your
credit, typically lasting 7, 15, or 30 days. A permanent lift means you
want your credit information to be available for third parties without time
restrictions.

18. 7 Tips to Protect Credit at
Holidays
1. Check credit report before the holidays.
2. Resist retail credit card offers at checkout.
3. Keep your credit usage low; know your limits!
4. Check your interest rates before you shop.
5. Remain vigilant against identity theft.
6. Don’t get distracted and fail to keep up with your bill-
paying duties!
7. As always, spend only what you can actually afford.