(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Attorney General Mike DeWine joins the Better Business Bureau in recognizing National Protect Your Identity Week by urging Ohioans to guard their personal information. DeWine also reminded those who may be victims of identity theft that he has started an Identity Theft Unit located within the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section to offer assistance to victims.
"There are many threats to keeping our personal information safe," said Attorney General DeWine. "But there are steps we can take to help protect ourselves."
National Protect Your Identity Week, Oct. 20-27, is a public-private initiative to promote the awareness of the threat of identity theft, what can be done to fight it, and what consumers can do if they become victims.
A report released by Javelin Strategy and Research reports that in 2011 identity fraud increased by 13 percent. More than 11.6 million adults became a victim of identity theft in the United States. The report looked at consumer behavior and fraud and found consumers' social media and mobile behaviors may be putting them at greater risk.
The Better Business Bureau and Attorney General DeWine recommend the top 10 consumer prevention tips:
- Keep personal data private - At home, at work, and on your mobile devices, secure your personal and financial records in a locked storage device or behind a password. Avoid mailing checks to pay bills. Use online bill payment on a secure Internet connection instead, and use direct deposit for payroll checks.
- Be social, be responsible - While social networks are popular, be careful about publicly exposing personal information that is typically used for authentication (full birthday, high school name). This applies to all social networks.
- Use mobile devices responsibly - Mobile devices are a treasure trove of information for fraudsters. The "always on" functionality of mobile devices provides fraudsters with new avenues for securing information. Be sure of the applications you download, the data you share over public Wi-Fi, and where you leave your device.
- Ask questions - Before providing any information on mobile phones, social media sites or transaction sites, determine who is asking for the information. Ask: Why do you need it? How is the information being used? If volunteering information, ask yourself if you have more to gain than to lose by sharing personal and unnecessary details.
- Carry only the number of credit cards that you need for a specific outing. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place at home.
- If you are doing business online, make sure the site is secure and your anti-virus, firewall, and other personal computer security applications are up-to-date.
- Shred all documents that contain personal information before you dispose of them.
- Keep copies of credit cards (front and back) in a safe place so you will be able to call and cancel them if they are stolen.
- Check your credit history at least once a year using www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228. If you notice suspicious activity, contact the appropriate credit bureau immediately.
- Review your medical, bank, and credit card statements thoroughly upon receipt and notify the provider/institution of any discrepancies.
"ID theft prevention should always be on an individual's mind," said Kip Morse, President/CEO of BBB. "When it comes to protecting your identity, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than the amount of money, energy, and agony that goes into getting your life back to normal after your financial and personal information has been stolen."
The Ohio Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau offer an array of educational and outreach services to educate and assist consumers, including participating in a Protect Your Identity Week consumer call-in with 10TV in Columbus on its early evening newscasts on Monday.
For more information, please visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov, or call the Ohio Attorney General's Help Desk at 800-282-0515. Consumers can also visit their local BBB online, www.bbb.org, or by phone at 614-486-6336.
Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Mark Moretti: 614-466-3840