Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime and last year, Florida led the nation in identity theft cases. Identity theft occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.

Here are some tips to help you avoid from becoming a victim:

• Always shred any unwanted personal documents, don't just throw them out! Criminals have been known to rummage through the trash looking for bills or other documents with personal information on it.
• Never give out your personal information to anyone on the phone, over the internet, or by mail unless you know exactly who you're dealing with. Remember, a credit card company or financial institution would never ask you for any personal information that they don't already have on file!
• Never click an unknown internet link sent to you in an unsolicited email. Check your internet browser and email settings, and be sure your computer is protected with adequate and up-to-date firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software. Avoid using an obvious password, such as a birthday, name, or social security number.
• Request an annual credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You can request one free report every twelve months at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
• For more helpful tips and information about identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-ID-THEFT or visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.