Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country.  The internet has been the fastest growing avenue for identity theft, and is difficult to find or catch the thief. Identity theft can happen to anyone. 

Thieves will:

1. Steal a purse or wallet containing personal information and credit/bank cards
2. Steal mail, including bank and credit card statements, pre approved credit card offers, new checks or tax information
3. Complete a change of address to divert mail to another location
4. Rummage through your garbage for personal information
5. Use personal information shared on the internet
6. Send emails posing as a legitimate company requesting personal information
7. Steal files out of offices where an individual is a customer, employee, patient or student
8. Hacking into business and home computers

How to avoid identity theft:

1. Review your credit report yearly from all three credit bureaus
2. Place passwords on your credit card and bank accounts
3. Secure personal information at home
4. Ask about security procedures in your workplace
5. Don't carry your social security card with you
6. Don't give out your social security number unless absolutely necessary, ask if there is another type of information that can be used
7. Don't give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or are sure who you are dealing with
8. Guard your mail and shred your mail containing personal information or pre approved credit card applications
9. Carry only the identification and credit cards you actually need
10. Follow up with creditors if bills do not arrive on time
11. Be wary of promotional scams
12. Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work
13. Notify the credit card company if you are planning to travel out of state

If you have become a victim of identity theft you need to take action:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit report with all 3 credit bureaus~~this is free with each bureau
2. Place a security freeze on your credit reports
3. Close any accounts that have been tampered with
4. File a Police report and ask for a copy of the report for your records
5. File a compliant with the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney Generals Office

You can place a freeze on your credit with each bureau so that your file cannot be shared with any potential creditors.  The bureaus will charge a $10.00 fee to place or remove security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim or identity theft or are at least 65 years of age, in which case there is no fee.