Identity Theft Quiz

Are you on the right track or at risk for identity theft? Keep track of your points as you take this identity theft quiz to find out how you rate.

1. When you pay a bill, where do you mail the check from?

[ ] my home mail box  1 point

[ ] drop it in the box at the post office 0 points

[ ] checks? I never write them. I pay everything online through secure connections.  0 points

*The check amount and/or recipients name can be pretty easily changed on a check. Mailbox theft is rampant, so any time you need to mail a check you should take it to the post office.

2. Where do you keep your social security card?

[ ] in my wallet/purse of course!  1 point

[ ] someplace safe. Never carry it unless I need it for an employer, then I put it right back in its place.  0 points

*If a thief gets your social security number they can find out all kinds of information about you and open credit accounts in your name. You should always keep it, and any documents containing your social security number in a safe place.

3. Do your passwords all have at least one number, letter, and special character?

[ ] yes   0 points

[ ] no    1 point

*Let’s face it, we need passwords for almost everything these days. Remembering all of them can be a bit of a hassle. Do you consistently use your birthdate, mother’s maiden name, or something equally simple? It does make it easier for you, but it makes it easy for an identity thief too.

4. Have you ever clicked on a link sent to you in an unsolicited email or text message?

[ ] Yes   1 point

[ ] No    0 points

*Identity thieves keep up with technology. First it was tricking you through phone calls, then they moved to email, now it’s through text messages. Play it safe and never click on these types of links, even if they look like the real deal. Criminals can use fake email addresses and make web pages that mirror the real ones.

5. Do you monitor your credit card bills and bank statements each month and get a copy of your credit report at least once a year?

[ ] Yes   0 points

[ ] No    1 point

*Catching a thief early on is going to save you a lot of hassle in the long run. Monitor you accounts and make sure you can account for each expenditure. If you see something that looks strange, contact your financial institution right away. The same thing goes for your credit report. Check it at least once a year to be sure everything is accurate and up to date and that there are no debts listed you can’t account for.

Lets see how you scored:

0 points – Congratulations! You are doing a great job of keeping your important information secure.

1-2 points – You are doing pretty well, but there is room for improvement. Implement the suggestions to do even better.

3-5 points – You are taking a lot of risks with your personal information and could be a prime candidate for identity theft.