# What Can I Do To Prevent Identity Theft?

**Source**: https://sfs.jhu.edu/financial-wellness/what-can-i-do-to-prevent-identity-theft/
**Parent**: https://sfs.jhu.edu/financial-wellness/

Nov. 2, 2022
[Protecting Your Identity](https://sfs.jhu.edu/financial-wellness/?cat=protecting-your-identity)

Video: What Can I Do To Prevent Identity Theft?

There are some basic principles that can help you avoid becoming a victim of identity theft:\

- Safeguard your personal information (date of birth, driver’s license number, Social Security Number, account numbers, credit card information, etc.).
- Shred or destroy personal documents rather than tossing them in the trash or recycling bin.
- Do not respond to suspicious emails directing you to a website or asking you for your personal information, including your login credentials. Make sure to go directly to the website if asked to verify or update any information.
- Avoid providing personal information such as banking information while on a public computer or at a free wi-fi location.
- When creating online accounts, develop strong passwords by combining lower and uppercase letters, numbers, and characters. Try to refrain from using personal identifying information in your password.
- Periodically get a copy of your credit report to see if there is any unauthorized activity in your name. The website [annualcreditreport.com](http://annualcreditreport.com) enables you to request your credit report for free, once every 12 months, from each of the major credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Consider staggering your reports every four months. January request Equifax, May request Experian, and September request TransUnion.

## More posts about [Protecting Your Identity](https://sfs.jhu.edu/financial-wellness/#protecting-your-identity)

[Identity Theft](https://sfs.jhu.edu/financial-wellness/identity-theft/)