Be Aware, Be Prepared

Here are a few things you can do to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.

1. Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request. E-mails and internet pages created by phishers may look exactly like the real thing. They may even have a fake padlock icon that ordinarily is used to denote a secure site. If you did not initiate the communication, you should not provide any information.
2. If you believe the contact may be legitimate, contact the financial institution yourself. You can find the phone numbers and websites on the monthly statements you receive from your financial institution, or you can look the company up in the phone book. The key is that you need to be the one to initiate the contact.
3. Keep your computer current in protective software. Install a spam filter and anti-virus software on your PC. Scan your PC regularly to detect and remove spyware. Ensure your PC has a personal firewall. Update your operating system and web browser software regularly. Look to ensure "https://" appears in the website address and that the security padlock icon appears on sites that request personal information.
4. Review your statements and credit reports regularly. If your account statement is late arriving, call your financial institution and find out why. If your financial institution offers electronic access, periodically review activity online and report suspicious activity.