A few months ago, we cautioned you to think twice before you clicked that link, noting the potential for fraudsters to use the integration of our two companies as a springboard for creating fake communications (phishing) designed to steal your personal and account information. And while the online guarantees for both Wells Fargo and Wachovia cover your accounts for 100% of any fraudulent usage, we can't do the same when it comes to your identity.
You see, when a criminal steals your info, not only can they steal the money you already have, they can also leverage your good name to rack up thousands of dollars in additional debt, destroying your hard-earned credit in the process.
And that's hoping you don't run into the talented Tom Ripley. 
Now, let's stop for a second and let me provide this disclaimer: Having worked with Wachovia's Loss Management and Corporate Information Security, I like to consider myself pretty savvy to common fraud tactics. But, I just took the Identity Fraud Safety Quiz on wellsfargo.com and the majority of my 12 answers generated the following result: "You have opportunity for improvement." Crikeys!
Fortunately, I did score a "Well Done!" for some answers, including one that asked how often I shred documents that contain sensitive financial information before putting it in the trash. Score one for the good guys! (What's your score?)
And our ID Theft quiz is not alone. Using a shredder is often cited as one of the easiest and most important steps to protecting your identity. You see, criminals value your personal information so much that they'll gladly sift through your trash in hopes of finding a document or two that contains your social security number or account data.
Obviously, that is just one step in avoiding becoming a victim of identity theft. And if you're like me, you might not realize how often you are putting yourself at risk.
But, we know that our customers are some of the smartest folks out there and we'd love to hear how maybe you've changed your habits to better secure your identity from criminals. They way I view it, sharing tips and helping each other become better educated is really the key — it's a whole lot easier to be proactive in protecting your identity before you are victimized than it is to recover from it, which is said to take well over 300 hours of your time.
I think good 'ol Ben Franklin said it best over 250 years ago, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
And as Diddy will tell ya, in the new millennium, "It's all about the Benjamins."
It is ironic that this quiz (which is a nice feature) says you should get all of your statements by e-delivery, but Wachovia doesn't even offer the option of getting your credit card statement by e-delivery. Another reason that Wells Fargo should convert all the accounts soon then later!
I was a victim of identity theft many years ago, before the technology was as sophisticated as it is today. I can't agree enough how important it is to protect your personal information and shred documents before disposing of them.
Your quiz doesn't pay attention to the answers as posted. My answers were all best behaviors as recommended by all security measures possible. Then your explanation ignores the answers made. Anyone with just a partial knowledge of the needs is going to end up more confused than before.