Don't be a victim... of Identity Theft

By Jeanine Bader

What is identity theft and why should I worry about it...

Identity theft occurs when a person obtains personal information about an individual without that individuals consent and then attempts to use that information with the intent to obtain goods, services or any other thing of value.

The most common way that thieves obtain information is by stealing it from your home, purse, vehicle or mailbox.

There are ways to protect yourself from having your information taken and used for identity theft; here are a few rules to follow...

• Be vigilant in monitoring your accounts.
• Keep your personal data private and don't share that information with anyone unless you initiated the transaction.
• When using on-line services make sure you make sure your computer has a firewall, spyware and current virus protection before entering any personal data.
• Be aware of people around you and your environment when you make purchases or perform financial transactions.
• Make sure your cards and PIN numbers are protected at all times and do not share PIN numbers with anyone or use a PIN that could be easily guessed. Never write your PIN number down.
• Learn about available Identity Theft protection services such as ID Safe Choice offered by Deseret First Credit Union.

Even with every precaution taken, you could become a victim of identity theft. If this should happen to you, it is very important that you take immediate action. It is very important that you contact the police immediately and file a report as well as the institution of the account.

The Attorney General of Utah has a website that gives helpful information to the public on the steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft. It can be found at www.idtheft.utah.gov