Tips to Help Defend Your Identity

General tips to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft:

Complete a thorough scan with your anti-virus and anti-spyware products, even if there is no indication that spyware was the culprit for card loss.
Shred your old bills, bank records and anything with your address, social security number, or birthday. ID thieves troll through trash, also known as “dumpster-diving.”
Do not post personal information on social networking sites.
Do not give out information over the phone or via an email or IM solicitation. A legitimate company or government entity will never solicit or ask you to divulge your personal information in an email or via the telephone.
Keep your children’s personal information safe – ID thieves go after kids’ social security numbers too. Kids are easy prey since they are unlikely to apply for credit, and it could be years before you (or they) know they’ve been victimized.

Find out how you can help keep your children safe online.

Learn more about how to help keep your PC secure from online attacks.