Neither businesses nor individuals can be too careful. Documents revealing bank account, credit card or social security numbers can be used to defraud, leaving the business or individual with enormous bills, empty bank account and damaged credit.

Scams such as Identity Theft and Phishing have become increasingly more prevalent. Protecting your personal information is a crucial matter and there are many ways the unscrupulous can gain access to such information. The threat is real, the government estimates 750,000 people are victimized by these crimes each year.

Identity Theft: Involves the use of your personal information. Such as your name, social security number, credit card or back account number. An unscrupulous person will use this information to consume your identity to commit a fraudulent act or other crimes.

Phishing: Involves the use of Internet Websites and pop-up messages to mislead a consumer to disclose personal information. Such as the same information with Identity Theft.

Protect your assets and good name.

• Do not leave bill payment envelopes in your mailbox with the flag up. This is one of the simplest ways to obtain your identity. Deposit your monthly bills at your local post office.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles and statements. Inquire about bills you do not receive. It may mean that the bill has been diverted by an identity thief.
• Report lost or stolen checks immediately.
• Do not give personal information over the telephone, through the mail, or the internet unless you initiated the contact and know whom you are dealing with.
• Annually contact the major credit reporting companies to review your file and make certain the information is correct.

The three major credit bureaus are:

• Equifax  www.equifax.com  1.800.685.1111
• Experian  www.experian.com  1.888.397.3742
• TransUnion  www.transunion.com  1.800.916.8800

For additional information on identity theft and phishing go to the Federal Traded Commission's website at www.ftc.gov and look for these brochures:

• How not to get hooked by the phishing scam.
• ID Theft, when bad things happen to your good name.