December 2007

Personal Safety: Identity Theft

As stated in last December's bulletin, the shopping season is a busy time and we tend to be rushed. Therefore, it is important once again to keep your personal information confidential. Below are some tips that can help keep you and your identity safe:

• Shred financial documents and paperwork that contain personal information before you discard them.
• Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
• Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know with whom you are dealing.
• Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place, especially if you have roommates.

For more information, please visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft