What you can do to protect yourself

1. Unless absolutely required for a legitimate business purpose, avoid giving out your:

   • Address and ZIP code

   • Phone number

   • Date of birth

   • Social Security number

   • Credit Card or account number

   • Card expiration date

   Your PIN is private; never give it out
   

2. In stores and at ATMs, always cover your card and PIN, and watch for:

   • Cell phone cameras, mirrors, other tools used to view cards and PINs

   • People watching your transactions

   • Cashiers taking your card out of sight; take it to the register yourself

   • Anything odd at ATMs; if something seems “funny,” go to another ATM
     

3. Online, you should never respond to:

   • E-mails asking to verify your card or account number; such emails are not sent by legitimate businesses.

   • Unsolicited email links to websites; such sites can look legitimate but may collect data or put spyware on your computer.

   
   For more on fraud, visit www.ftc.gov (the U.S. Federal Trade Commission) or other legitimate websites.