Don’t let unscrupulous thieves rob you or members of your family of your identity.  Here you will find resources to assist you in understanding identity theft and fraud, how to protect yourself and others and what to do if you suspect your identity has been stolen.

While much has been written about high-tech, online identity thieves, the "low-tech" methods are far more prevalent.  According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), here are some of the most common ways your identity can be stolen.

Common Ways that ID Theft Happens: 
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information including:

1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by processing your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a “change of address” form.
5. “Old-Fashioned” Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information.  They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.
   

For more information, check our Privacy and Security page.