Identity Theft

Community Public Safety

Identity theft occurs when personal information has been compromised and used to commit fraud or theft. During the course of the day, there are many occasions when checks are written, purchases are made with credit cards, or information is sent and received through the mail. These normal transactions can result in the theft of a person's credit identity. You can minimize the risk by managing credit information carefully and responsibly.

Identity can be gained through:

Stolen purses, mail, checkbooks, etc.
Subscribing to magazines, book clubs, CD/music clubs
Entering sweepstakes/contests/drawings
Rummaging through garbage for personal information
Access to Social Security Number

What YOU Can Do To Protect YOURSELF and OTHERS
Someone may have the desire to victimize you and you cannot do much to curb their desire.
Someone may have the ability to victimize you and you cannot do anything to reduce their abilities.

The KEY is OPPORTUNITY - take away the opportunity to be victimized!
Checks:

Never leave checkbook in unoccupied car.
Cut up or shred voided checks and unused deposit/withdrawal slips.
Have new checks sent to your bank or credit union.

Credit Cards:

Keep number of credit cards to a minimum.
Cancel unused credit card accounts and cut or shred credit cards.
Always ask sales clerk to check your ID and thank those clerks who do.
Don't let credit card out of sight - at restaurants, pay at the cashier station.
Credit card transactions are not legal if the card is not signed.
Destroy all credit card applications by shredding or cutting up.

Take away the easy access to YOUR personal information - secure it. Think like an ID Thief. Where would they look in your residence or vehicle for this information? Get creative when securing your personal information. Make it difficult to find!