October 2008
CALFORNIA
Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 944226 • Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Information: 1-800-952-5210 | www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
With over a half a million licensees and several incoming applications everyday, the Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology understands the importance of protecting our licensees from the dangers of identity theft. Currently, the Bureau is in the process of developing a new practice that would omit the licensee’s personal address from all printed renewal licenses. This way, when your license is displayed at you workstation, you don’t have to worry about your personal information getting into the hands of identity thieves. Below are 10 tips, developed by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Office of Privacy Protection, that can help further protect you from identity theft.
1. Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. If your health plan (other than Medicare) or another card uses your SS number, ask the company for a different number.
2. Fight “phishing” – don’t take the bait. Scam artists “phish” for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or government agencies. They do this over the phone, in e-mails and in the regular mail. Don’t give out your personal information – unless you made the contact. Don’t respond to a request to verify your account number or password.
3. Keep your identity from getting trashed. Shred or tear up papers with personal information before you throw them away. Shred credit card offers and “convenience checks” that you don’t use.
4. Control your personal financial information. California law requires your bank and other financial services companies to get your permission before sharing your personal financial information with outside companies. You also have the right to limit some sharing of your personal information with your financial services companies’ affiliates.
5. Shield your computer from viruses and spies. Protect your personal information on your home computer. Use strong passwords: with at least eight characters, including a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. Use firewall, virus and spyware protection software that you update regularly.
6. Click with caution. When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Only enter personal information on secure Web pages with “https” in the address bar and a padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers.
7. Check your bills and bank statements. Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don’t arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.
8. Stop pre-approved credit offers. Stop most pre-approved credit card offers. They make a tempting target for identity thieves who steal your mail. Have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists. Call toll-free 1-888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688). Or opt out online at www.optoutprescreen.com.
9. Ask questions. Ask questions whenever you are asked for personal information that seems inappropriate for the transaction. Ask how the information will be used and if it will be shared. Ask how it will be protected. Explain that you’re concerned about identity theft. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, consider going somewhere else.
10. Check your credit reports – for free. One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. (More comprehensive monitoring services from the credit bureaus cost from $44 to over $100 per year.) Order your free annual credit reports by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-322-8228, or online at www.annualcreditreport.com.
CALFORNIA
Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 944226 • Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Information: 1-800-952-5210
www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
Staff Members:
Kristy Underwood — Executive Officer
Denise Johnson — Deputy Executive Officer
Theresa Rister — Board Analyst
The Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology does not endorse any article, product, advertisement, or service contained in this newspaper. If you have any questions or concerns about the contents of any article in this newspaper you believe may affect you as a licensee, you may write to: Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, P.O. Box 944226, Sacramento, California, 94244-2260
