More and more we find ourselves reading about it, watching about it or hearing about it. We say, “Those people are so stupid” or “That could never happen to me.” Guess what? IT CAN! And in today’s world you probably know someone it has happened to. Or you may be saying “Now you tell me.”

We’re talking about ID THEFT. We’re talking about FRAUD.

Whatever you want to call it, there are only 3 things you can do about it.

  1. Protect yourself
  2. Protect yourself
  3. Protect yourself

Information you think not important, is important to someone inclined to commit a crime. It can be as high-tech as a keystroke-recording device or as mundane as someone rifling through trash for an intact credit card slip. It’s not fair. It shouldn’t happen. But it does. And when it does happen, It’s your good name, It’s your good credit, And it’s up to you to fix it.

We hope these tips can help. They sure can’t hurt.

  • Review credit reports annually (Equifax:1-800-525-6285, Experian:1-888-EXPERIAN, TransUnion:1-800-680-7289)
  • Shred confidential documents
  • Review all account statements promptly
  • Use caution when asked for personal information over the phone or internet
  • Be aware of current scam tactics over the phone or internet
  • Safeguard User ID’s and passwords
  • Safeguard personal checks, check cards and credit cards
  • If you would not release information over the phone, don’t release that information over the internet
  • Use informational web-sites to further educate yourself, such as www.consumer.gov/idtheft
  • You may also protect yourself through: www.lifelock.com

We will update this page with more information as it becomes available to us, so check back soon.