Identity Theft

Identity Theft is an increasing concern and a serious crime. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to steal your assets, open credit accounts in your name, and commit fraud or other crimes. If you believe that you may be a victim, here is what you should do:

1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
2. Close any accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
4. Report stolen checks, credit cards and driver’s licenses
   

For more information, check these resources:

• The Identity Theft Center - http://www.idtheftcenter.org/vg17A.shtml
• Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft web site: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• Department of Justice Identity Theft Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

If your purse or wallet is stolen, don’t become the victim of Identity Theft! Click the more button for information.

A Different Kind of Phishing Identity Theft Alert - One of the most common current computer scams is called "Phishing, which is pronounced as "fishing." This is the computer slang for a new online scam that is being conducted via emails. It is an attempt to gain your personal information such as social security numbers, birthday, passwords, and other information that can be used to steal your identity.