Don't give away unnecessary personal information. If you are filling out a product warranty or registration card, and you don't want the whole world to know your income or hobbies, don't answer those questions.

Especially avoid giving away your social security number (SSN). Far too many databases are keyed by social security number. Once someone has your SSN, they can potentially get information about you from any of these databases (in part because data base owners tend to assume that anyone who knows your SSN is, in fact, you). Any government agency---federal, state, or local---that asks for your social security number must provide a Privacy Act Statement which tells you:

• Whether giving your SSN is required or voluntary;
• What statutory authority they have for asking for it;
• How they will use it; and
• What happens if you don't give it.

Check your credit reports well before you apply for a major loan. If there is an error, it can take months to get it corrected. You can get a free copy of your credit report from TRW by calling (800) 392-1122.

You can get a copy or a report of your file from the Medical Information Bureau. Their address is P. O. Box 105, Essex Station, Boston, MA 02112; telephone (617) 426-3660.

If you don't want to receive direct mail advertising and/or telephone sales calls, you can register your preference with the Direct Marketing Association at one or both of the following addresses:

• Mail Preference Service, P. O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735.
• Telephone Preference Service, P. O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735.