Arizona is #2 in the nation for Identity Theft. With this in mind, the Arizona Attorney General’s office recommends these:

Tips to Protect Your Identity

• Review your bank and credit card statements monthly.
• Remove your social security number from your driver’s license.
• Keep credit card account information in a safe place.
• Never give bank or credit card account information over the phone unless you initiated the call and know the business.
• Order a copy of your credit report annually and check it carefully.
• Keep your wallet or purse in a secure place at all times.
• When ordering by phone or on-line, use a credit card rather that a debit card.
• Always take your credit card receipts.
• Cancel credit cards that you don’t use. 
• Install a locked mailbox at your home or use a post office box.
• Use a secure mailbox when mailing bills or checks.
• Shred anything with personal identifying information before discarding.
• Store PIN numbers and credit/debit cards in separate safe places.
• Delete all personal information from your computer before disposing of it.
• Remove your name from mailing lists generated by telemarketers.
• Minimize the number of credit cards you carry.
• Don’t carry your social security card with you.
• Never use your social security card for identification.

What is "Personal Identifying Information"?

• name
• address
• date of birth
• passwords
• pin numbers
• social security number

How do Thieves get Your Personal Identifying Information?

• Steal your wallet or purse
• Steal personal information from your home or vehicle
• Steal credit or debit card numbers as the card is being processed
• Steal mail from your mailbox
• Go through your trash
• Pretend to be your landlord or employer to get your credit reports or personnel records
• Divert your mail by using a change of address form
• You give it to people you trust

What are the Most Common Kinds of Identity Fraud?

• Credit card fraud
• Phone and utility fraud 
• Bank fraud
• Employment-related fraud
• Government document or benefit fraud
• Loan fraud

Where to go for Information

Arizona Agencies

Arizona Attorney General - Office of Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard - 
1275 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
602-542-5763 / Toll Free 800-352-8431

400 West Congress, Suite 315,Tucson, Arizona 85701
520-628-6504 / Toll Free 800-352-8431

Arizona Motor Vehicle Department - 800-251-5866

To remove your social security number from your driver’s license or to order a duplicate driver’s license - Service Arizona

Credit Reports

Equifax Information Services - P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241 - 800-525-6285

Experian - P.O. Box 9532, Allen, Texas 75013 - 888-397-3742

Trans Union - P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, California 92634-6790 - 800-680-7289

To remove your name from credit bureau mailing lists, call 888-567-8688.

Telemarketing

To remove your name and home address from national telemarketing mailing and phone lists: Direct Marketing Association - Consumers