Safe andSecure in anElectronicWorld

� be courteous while waiting by keeping apolite distance from the person ahead ofyou. Allow the person to finish his orher business before approaching themachine

� remove the cash as soon as the machine releases it. Put the money inyour pocket and wait until you are in asecure location before counting it.Never leave the receipt at the site.

Protecting Your Credit Cards

Having a credit card is a big responsi-bility. If you don’t have your own card,a parent may lend you one for certainpurchases. Whether the card is yours oryour parents’, here are a few tips tokeep it safe.

� Give your credit card account numberout to make a purchase or reservationonly when you have initiated the call.Never give this information over acellular phone.

� Never give your credit card for someoneto use on your behalf.

� Watch your card when giving it to storeclerks to protect against extra imprintsbeing made.

� Destroy any carbon papers fromreceipts. Tear them up—don’t toss theminto the trash at the purchase counter.Keep the actual charge slips in a safeplace.

� Save all receipts and compare them toyour monthly statement. Report anydifferences immediately.

� Keep a master list of all your card num-bers in a secure place, preferably with

National CrimePrevention Council

Crime Prevention Tips FromNational Crime Prevention Council1700 K Street, NW, Second Floor

Washington, DC 20006-3817www.weprevent.org

and

The National Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign, sponsoredby the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, is substantiallyfunded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of JusticePrograms, U.S. Department of Justice.

Production made possible in partby a grant fromThe American LegionChild Welfare Foundation, Inc.

your parents or another trusted adult,with all account numbers and phonenumbers for reporting stolen or lostcards.

� Immediately report lost or stolen cardsto the issuing company and to thepolice.

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Enterprising criminalscan gather enough

information about youthrough the debris ofeveryday electronic trans-actions to pretend thatthey are you. Once thishappens, they can gainaccess to all your financialinformation.

The most common way thieves goabout getting this information is bystealing your wallet. However, otherways include looking over your shoul-der at ATMs and phone booths to cap-ture your PIN number; stealing mailfrom your mailbox; digging thoughyour discarded trash; and fraudulentlyordering a copy of your credit record.And before you think, “I don’t have acredit record,” think again. As soon asyou open a bank account, get a creditcard or a loan, or start a store account,you’ve got a credit record.

To prevent this from happening to you,

� don’t give out your social security num-ber. If your state allows it, use a numberother than your social security numberon your driver’s license.

� tear into small pieces all credit cardoffers, ATM receipts, bank statements,credit card statements, and otherprinted materials that have youraccount numbers on them. Use a paper shredder if possible.

� don’t send personal information overthe Internet, through e-mail, or overcellular phones.

� don’t use passwords that are obvious—names (yours or those of your friends,relatives, or pets), birth date, even streetaddresses. The best passwords mixnumbers with upper and lowercase let-ters. A password that is not found inthe dictionary is even better becausethere are programs that will try everyword in the dictionary in an effort tocrack your code.

� avoid break-ins by changing your pass-word regularly and memorizing it. Ifyou have several, set up a system for

remembering them. Don’t write yourpassword on your notebook or stick iton a Post-it® note in your locker.

Pay Particular Attention When Using ATM Cards andCredit Cards

One of many conveniences of a checkingaccount is the debit or automated tellermachine (ATM) card. This card allowsyou to get money from your accountthrough a machine 24 hours a day. Amoney machine is useful, but there are afew precautions you should take.

Protecting Your Personal IdentificationNumber (PIN)

Just like passwords on the computers, aPIN is a confidential code issued to youthat lets you have access to your account.Memorize your PIN, and don’t give it toanyone, not even family members orbank employees. The fewer people whohave access to your PIN, the better.

Never write your PIN on your ATMcard or write it on a piece of paper andplace it in your wallet. If your walletand card are lost or stolen, someonewill have everything they need to takeall the money from your account.

Using the ATM Safely

An ATM card should be treated likecash. When using the ATM machine,select one that’s code-door or double-door secured and visible to street traffic.Use when others are around. Also,

� be aware of others waiting behind you

� position yourself in front of the key-board to prevent anyone from seeingyour PIN

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