| When we hear the term identity theft we often | | | | - If you read an email from someone who has a |
| think credit card or loan fraud, fraudulent bank | | | | large estate and needs your bank information to find |
| account transfers. Identity thieves are sophisticated | | | | a home for several million dollars, don't respond. |
| and often will use your information for subtle and | | | | Delete the email. If the emails persist, get a stronger |
| lasting crimes like utility or telephone fraud, | | | | spam tool or contact the Federal Bureau of |
| employment fraud or government document and | | | | Investigations. |
| benefit fraud. Identity thieves will take anyone's | | | | - Carry only necessary credit cards and pieces of |
| information, young or old and in some cases, | | | | identification when you leave your home. |
| deceased. | | | | - Lock your glove compartment when you valet park. |
| Following are facts about identity theft and theft | | | | Your home address and auto insurance information |
| prevention. | | | | are in your glove compartment and are ripe targets |
| - Identity theft happens every two seconds in the | | | | for an identity thief. |
| United States. An average major league baseball park | | | | - Shred any mail you intend to throw in the trash. |
| at full attendance is a frightening visual of the daily | | | | Physically separate the strips of paper and spread in |
| number of victims to identity based crimes. | | | | different containers. Remember, criminals are |
| - You won't know you are a victim until it is too late. | | | | relentless and have lots of time on their hands. |
| Repairing credit and collection demands is a long, | | | | - Remove your SIM card and all of your personal |
| arduous process where you, the victim, must prove | | | | information from cell phones that you no longer use. |
| your innocence. | | | | - Destroy your hard drive and recycle according to |
| - A safe Identity protection plan will protect you and | | | | local laws any unused PC's or PDA's. |
| your family. | | | | - Never use your home phone number as an account |
| - Identity theft is real, some of the high-jackers | | | | number. Grocery store loyalty programs generally ask |
| aboard flights on 9-11 stole identities to carry out | | | | for this. Use your mobile phone number. |
| their acts of terror on US citizens. | | | | The tips and facts are real. The need for an identity |
| - Learn more about how to avoid phishing scams, | | | | protection plan is great and few Americans own one. |
| efforts made by identity thieves to get your | | | | Select your plan today so you and your loved ones |
| personal information via email. | | | | are not the next victims. |