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Protect your identityDuring hard economic times it is important to not only keep an eye on your financial portfolio it is also important to keep a close eye on your identity. During hard economic times, crime tends to increase, said Glenn Muske, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service interim associate dean, assistant director, family and consumer sciences. "Identity theft can happen to anyone, it doesn't matter who you are or where you live," Muske said. "People need to learn to discourage identity thieves and monitor their records to spot suspicious activity on their financial records." According to Javelin Strategy and Research, when the method used to steal identity was known, old- school tactics were more common than higher-tech approaches. This study shows 33 percent of incidents were due to lost or stolen wallets, 23 percent happened when a thief watched over the victim's shoulder as the victim punched in a PIN number, 17 percent were victimized by family members or people they knew, 12 percent happened online and 7 percent were victimized as a result of data breaches. Muske said there is a lot you can do to protect the information that is under your control. "For example, shield the keypad when you type in a PIN number," he said. "Also keep checks, account statements and other sensitive information in a locked filing cabinet. It is also important to monitor your credit reports and keep a close eye on bank accounts." Other tips include avoiding unfamiliar ATMs and using your credit card instead of your debt card for transactions. Muske said if your accounts have been compromised shut down your old accounts and open up new ones, since there is no other fail-safe way to keep thieves out. By cautiously managing personal information and being aware of the issue, consumers can help guard against identity theft. For example: --Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or are sure you know who you are dealing with. Confirm that you are dealing with a legitimate representative of a legitimate company or organization, by contacting their Web site or calling customer service using the number on your account statement or in the telephone book. --Do not carry your Social Security card around with you; store it in a safe place. --Secure personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates, are employing outside help or having service done in the home. --Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at the post office rather than in an unsecured mailbox. Remove mail from your mail box promptly. --Carry only the identification information and the number of credit and debit cards that you actually need. --Ask about security information at your workplace, doctors' offices and at other locations where personal information is collected from you. --Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Use other identification whenever possible. --Pay attention to billing cycles and follow-up with the creditor if a statement does not arrive on time. --Paper shredders are inexpensive today. Invest in one and shred personal information and items such as credit card applications rather than just tossing these items in the trash. 11/24/08 Date: 11/20/08
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