How At Risk Are You?    Take this quick survey and find out.

Review the questions below. Think of how you normally go through your day. This should be a realistic review of your daily habits. Do not answer the questions how you think you ought to be doing things. Honest answers will give you a better perspective on your risks of becoming an identity theft victim. 

Give yourself five points for each A answer, two points for each B answer and one point for each C answer.

1. Do you carry you Social Security Card with you?

   1. I have it in my wallet or billfold.

   2. Sometimes I carry it, when I think I will need it.

   3. I never carry it. I keep it in my safe deposit box and have memorized the number.

2. Do you keep your purse or wallet secure or in your possession?

   1. Sometimes I put my purse in the grocery cart and turn my back on it. Or I keep my wallet in my back pocket even in a crowded place.

   2. I try to keep it in my site at all times. Or at my desk at work.

   3. I always keep it in my possession, or locked at work.

3. Do you pick up your mail regularly or use a locked mailbox?

   1. I leave town and do not make arrangements for pickup.

   2. Sometimes I leave forget the mail for a couple days.

   3. I pick up my mail as soon as possible after delivery, or I have a locked mailbox.

4. Do you shred all pre-approved offers?

   1. I do not have a shredder.

   2. I usually do. I have a single strip shredder

   3. I cross shred everything that has my name on it.

5. Do you know the closing date of your statements and when they should arrive in the mail? (Bank, credit card, mortgage, cell phone, department store cards)

   1. I do not know when to expect any of my statements.

   2. I know the dates of some, but not all, of my statements.

   3. Yes, I know the dates of all my statements.

6. Do you give out personal information over the Internet?

   1. I give out information on a lot of websites as well as through email links.

   2. I look at the site or link and if it looks secure I will give out information

   3. Only over secure sites I am familiar with.

7. Do you leave your checks and statements lying around your home or office?

   1. I leave them out on my desk.

   2. No, I keep them in a drawer.

   3. I keep them in a locked drawer or safe.

8. Do you verify the identity of people who call and ask for your information, who say they are the landlords, in law enforcement, the bank or credit card company, etc.

   1. If they sound legitimate or say they will close an account without it, I will give them my information.

   2. I give them the information if they already have some of my information, otherwise I do not.

   3. I always call back a number I have to verify the employee and reason they need my information.

9. Do you click on links from companies provided in emails?

   1. If it looks like a real site or if I have to verify information, I will click the links provided in emails.

   2. Sometimes, if it looks legitimate.

   3. Never, I use links I have bookmarked or I type in.

10. When do you take out your trash for pickup?

    1. I take my personal trash to the dumpster any time I need to.

    2. If I have a lot, I will take it out before trash pickup day.

    3. I wait until trash collection day to take out my personal trash.

11.  When you answer security questions, do you use your Mothers maiden name?

    1. Yes, if they ask for it I give it.

    2. Only if they do not offer any alternate security questions.

    3. No, I use a different name I made up to replace my Mother’s maiden name.

12. Do you use virus/firewall/spam/ popup protection?

    1. I have virus protection, but have not updated it for awhile.

    2. I have virus/firewall/spam/popup protection and update it once a month.

    3. I have all the protection and update it on a daily basis.

13. Do you change your passwords regularly?

    1. I use the same passwords all the time, or if I need to change it I use a variation of the original. Like MyDog, MyDog1, MyDog2.

    2. I change it when I think I need to.

    3. I change my passwords regularly.

14. If an office worker asks for your Social Security number, do you tell it to them without asking any questions?

    1. Yes, If they ask for it I tell them.

    2. I only tell it to people in place I am familiar with.

    3. If it is an office where I know the procedures for using my Social Security number, I will write it down and hand it to them.

15. Is your password something you easily remember? Like your spouse, child or pets name, the last four digits of your SSN or phone number.

    1. Family names are easy for me to remember, so I do not have to write them down.

    2. I use other things I can remember, like my address.

    3. I use a mix of upper and lower case letters and numbers.

16. Do you keep your PIN or passwords written down and handy?

    1. My PIN is on my ATM card or my passwords are taped to the side of my computer or desk.

    2. I write them down, but try to find a place to hide them.

    3. I memorize all my PINs and passwords.

17. Do you review your statements every month for unauthorized activity?

    1. If the balance looks about right, I figure there is nothing to worry about.

    2. I review my credit card and bank statements, but none of the rest of my statements.

    3. I review each statement when I get them. I compare receipts against charges or checks I have written.

18. Do you know what’s on your credit report?

    1. No, I just assume that only my current debts are on the report.

    2. I sort of know. Last time I got a loan the banker reviewed it with me.

    3. I review my credit report every three or four months.

19. What do you do with your paycheck stub?

    1. I open it, review it, and leave it on my desk. Sometimes I don’t open it, but I still leave it at my desk.

    2. I put it in my desk, and then take it home to review. Then it gets put on my desk at home.

    3. I keep it with me until I get home to review it. Then I put it in a secure place with all the others.

20. Do you review your annual statement from the Social Security Administration?

    1. What is the Social Security Administration annual statement?

    2. I glance over it when I get it. Just enough to see how much I could get when I retire.

    3. I look to compare the income reported with the income I make.

Total your answers:

 _______ A answers. 5 points for each A answer.   _____

 _______ B answers. 2 points for each B answer. _____

 _______ C answers. 1 point for each C answer. _____

 Total your score ____________

Your Score                            Your Risk

20-30        Great job! You are very aware of how your daily habits could result in your personal information getting into the wrong hands. Keep up the good work. More and more people are becoming victims of identity theft every day. So, don’t slack on your good habits.

31-40         You’re doing very well!. But there’s room for improvement. Look for ways to make changes and to safeguard your information.

41-70              You are probably aware of the risks of identity theft. You should take a more pro-active approach. Remember most reported victims are hit by low-tech means. This means we can all do something to improve our daily habits.

71-100        Identity theft is a big risk. By changing your daily habits and monitoring your information you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim. Start making changes today. Start with the basics and work your way into a habit of watching out for those pesky identity thieves.

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