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A Special Tip From The BBB
According to the Federal Trade Commission, 279,156 identity theft complaints were reported in the U.S. in 2011 — the single largest category of complaints. This figure does not take into account those who did not report that their identities were stolen or those who failed to realize that their identities had been compromised. Some tips on safeguarding your personal information are below.
Personal information is private. Share only what is necessary...if someone calls you demanding any sort of details about you and your personal information, ask that the request be put in writing.
Surf securely. Insure online security by:
- Only enter personal information on websites that offer secure connections; look for "https".
- Review privacy policies and other disclosures before entering information.
- Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails, as items may contain viruses or malware.
- Always make sure that anti-virus software is up-to-date.
- Choose unique passwords; avoid common sequences.
Stay safe. Proactively protect personal information:
- Avoid giving out Social Security numbers. Find out why it is needed.
- Store personal documents securely; invest in a lock box or safe.
- Shred expired or unwanted documents.
Study statements. Carefully analyze monthly account statements and look for discrepancies; report any issues immediately.
Stay up to-date by checking with the BBB for current trends in identity theft and visit bbb.org and ftc.gov for valuable information on understanding and preventing identity theft.
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