As we head full force into 2012, I hope you will make it your year to prevent crime and educate yourself about how you can prevent becoming a victim. I want all citizens to stay safe; we offer several FREE programs to help - by having these tools in your toolbox, you can beat the bad guys.
We are on the heals of a time when we all hit the stores or the web to shop for holiday gifts. But how many of us stopped to think about identity theft. It's a very serious crime that occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name. Here are ways you can deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information:
§ Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
§ Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
§ Don't give out personal information on the phone, by mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
§ Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails.
§ Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or your Social Security number (not even the last four digits of your Social Security Number).
§ Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements, and please be alert to signs that require immediate attention such as: bills that do not arrive as expected, unexpected credit cards or account statements, denials of credit for no apparent reason and calls or letters about purchases you did not make. You also want to inspect your credit report. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history.
I encourage you to file a police report to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime and then report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.
Online: ftc.gov/idtheft
By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261
By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington , DC 20580
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in this country. You can protect yourself and we can help you. Contact your Richland County Sheriff’s Department Community Action Team at 576-3118 or go to www.rcsd.net for additional safety information.
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