Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Crime Prevention Tips on Identity Theft

Levy County Sheriffs Office Investigators have noticed an increase in identity theft both on andoff line this holiday season and have asked that we remind you of what you can do to protect yourself. Consider the flowing tips Courstesy of http://www.ic3.gov/.


Identity Theft
Ensure websites are secure prior to submitting your credit card number.
Do your homework to ensure the business or website is legitimate.
Attempt to obtain a physical address, rather than a P.O. box or maildrop.
Never throw away credit card or bank statements in usable form.
Be aware of missed bills which could indicate your account has been taken over.
Be cautious of scams requiring you to provide your personal information.
Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you make the call.
Monitor your credit statements monthly for any fraudulent activity.
Report unauthorized transactions to your bank or credit card company as soon as possible.
Review a copy of your credit report at least once a year.