<

Home
Calendar
Adult Activities
Children's Activities
Cooperative Pre School
Day Care
Food Certificates
Mission
Parish Nurse/Health Ministries
Church Remodel
Picture Pages
The Prospector
Staff and Leadership
The Upper Room  
Map
Links

 
 

Health Corner

 

Identity Theft

            Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation. Within the past five years, 27 million Americans have fallen victim to this personally invasive crime, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Arizona ranks first among reported identity thefts in the nation.

            “Identity theft”, for those of you who don’t already know, “occurs when someone uses your name, address, Social Security Number, bank or credit care number, or other identifying information without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.

            In Arizona, most common identity thefts involve credit care and employment-related fraud, followed by other identity theft, bank fraud, and the phone or utilities fraud.

            The most frightening aspect of the crime is its simplicity. The most damaging kind of identity theft occurs when a thief steals your purse or wallet. He or she then acquires a fake identification or driver license bearing this or her photo, and your personal information.

            Here are some precautions that will lessen your chances or becoming a victim:

bulletSecure personal information in your home.   
bulletCarry only necessary identification and a limited number of credit or debit cards.  
bulletKeep your Social Security card in a safe place. Do not carry it with you.
bulletDon’t reveal you Social Security Number.   
bulletPlace passwords on you credit card, bank, and phone accounts.
bulletShred everything. Old bills, credit cared receipts, credit care offers, etc. that contains confidential information should become confetti.
bulletDeposit and collect mail regularly.
bulletNever reveal personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the Internet, unless you instigate activity.
bulletPhotocopy all credit card information and monitor account activity regularly.
bulletWatch out for promotional scams.
bulletKeep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work.
bulletAsk about information security procedures in your workplace.
bulletOrder a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus.

For more information about identity theft, visit the FTC Web site’s identity prevention center at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/.

(Resource: Scottsdale Airpark News)