EDUCATION - Know the Facts

Unlike a more conventional crime, the problem with identity theft is that, most likely, the victim doesn’t even know it is happening until it is too late.  This means that the criminals are very rarely caught and the victim is left spending countless hours and hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars to clean up the mess.

• Do you receive “pre-approved” credit card applications in the mail?
• Do you leave outgoing mail at your home or business for the mail carrier to pick up?
• Do you keep personal information on your computer?
• Do you throw out mail without shredding it first?
• Has it been more than 3 months since you checked your credit report?
• Do you wait more than one month to balance your checkbook?



• Do you hand your credit card to servers at restaurants?
• Do you sign your credit cards?
• Do you supply personal information over the Internet?
• Do you keep your Social Security number in your wallet or purse?

Unfortunately, if you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you ARE at risk for identity theft and you may already be a victim.  Please, do what you can to protect yourself from identity theft!  As, Benjamin Franklin said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Click here for information on how to protect yourself.