The following dates have been approved as meeting dates for 2009:   October 6, November 10 and December 8 if we need to meet in December because of pressing business for the Norwood Homeowners.        

     Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you’re dealing with. Identity thieves will pose as bank representatives, Internet service providers, and even government officials to get you to reveal identifying information.

        Don’t send confidential, financial, or personal information on your e-mail system.

        Shred all documents, including pre-approved credit applications received in your name, insurance forms, bank checks and statement you are discarding, and other financial information.

        Do not use your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your social security number, or a similar series of numbers as a password for anything.

        Minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry. Take what you’ll actually need. Don’t carry your social security card, birth certificate, or passport, unless necessary.

        Do not put your social security number on your checks or your credit receipts. If a business requests your social security number, give them an alternate number and explain why. If a government agency requests your social security number, there must be a privacy notice accompanying the request.

        Do not put your telephone number on checks.

        Use direct deposit for Social Security and other regular checks.

        Be careful using ATMs and phone cards. Someone may look over your shoulder and get your PIN numbers, thereby gaining access to your accounts.

        Never give a bank account or credit card number or other personal information to anyone you don’t know or haven’t checked out. Don’t provide information that isn’t necessary to make a purchase.

        Make a list of all your credit card account numbers and bank account numbers with customer service phone numbers and keep it in a safe place.

        Do not put your credit card number on the Internet unless it is encrypted on a secured site.

        The most complete compendium of advice to consumers on ID theft is provided by the Federal Trade Commission at:

www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

         The above information is contained in a pamphlet supplied by the Knoxville Police Department. Check out the above website for more information.