Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Simple steps to take for your security

Identity theft is a growing concern – in part because so many important transactions now take place on the phone or online, instead of face-to-face.

Here are some tips on protecting your personal and financial information.

On the phone

Scam artists try to get Social Security numbers and bank account numbers in all kinds of ways – including pretending to be someone from your insurance company. If someone calls you claiming to be from Humana:

1. Verify the caller's identity
   A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn't give out personal or financial information on the phone unless you initiate the contact or know the caller. Humana rarely calls members to request personal or financial information – especially for simple tasks like setting up appointments. When we do request this kind of information, we always confirm your birth date first.
   
2. If in doubt, call Humana
   If the person gives you a callback number, we ask that you call Humana Customer Service at 1-866-255-7451 instead. If you have a speech or hearing impairment and use a TTY, call 711. We can verify whether the call is legitimate, and we'll follow up with authorities immediately if it isn't.
3. Report suspicious calls
   If you think you've been a victim of identity theft, file a police report immediately. Scam artists act fast, so your tip could help others and keep your losses to a minimum. Also review your credit report for problems.

On the computer

Providing your credit card number online isn't much different from giving it to a server at a restaurant – except you can't "see" who you're giving it to. So take a few steps to make sure your personal information doesn't get into the wrong hands:

1. Watch for "phishers"
   Con artists are experts at mimicking e-mails and Websites from reputable banks, shopping sites, and Internet service providers. This scam is called "phishing." If you get an e-mail asking you to confirm personal or financial information, don't click the link. You never know if the link goes to a legitimate site or a scammer.
2. Look for signs of security
   If you do enter personal or financial information online, make sure the site is secured – meaning the information you enter isn't accessible to anyone other than you and the Website owner. Common indicators are an "s" after the "http" on a Website address – as in "https://www.humanamedicare.com" – or the image of a lock on the address line. But even those indicators are no guarantee of security, so look for additional protection. For instance, the Humana Medicare Website shows the Verisign logo – which is kind of like a "Good Housekeeping seal" for Internet security.
3. Build a wall around your computer
   Set up your e-mail filters and Internet browser to have the highest level of security. You may also want to invest in software that scans for viruses and "spyware" – programs that hide on your computer and allow others to see the information you enter.

For more information

OnGuard Online – http://onguardonline.gov/index.html
Federal Trade Commission – http://www.ftc.gov/
National Cyber Security Alliance – http://www.staysafeonline.info/
Anti-Phishing Working Group – http://www.antiphishing.org/