Here are some ways you can protect yourself from your identity being stolen:

• Protect your social security number.
• Invest in a shredder and shred anything that has your name and account numbers on it.
• Be consistent about shredding or destroying pre-approval credit card applications.
• Monitor your credit report.
• Periodically order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus.

Toll free numbers for each bureau:

• Equifax:  800-685-1111
• Experion:  888-397-3742
• Trans-Union:  800-888-4213

• Make sure all the information is correct and only includes credit activities you have authorized.
• Use an up-to-date virus protection on your computer.
• Never open an email attachment on an email unless you know who the sender is.
• Never give out personal information over the phone unless you have placed the call yourself or you are certain of the company you are dealing with.
• Keep duplicate records and watch what you carry in your wallet.
• Mail payments from a safe location.
• A password should be placed on your credit cards, bank accounts and phone accounts.
• Do not use something that a thief could easily figure out such as your social security number or date of birth.

Visit these websites where you can sign up to "opt out" of receiving calls, US Mail, or email from promotional services:

• www.donotcall.gov
• www.the-dma.org/consumers/offmailinglist.html
• www.dmaconsumers.org/offemaillist.html

Identity Theft coverage can easily be added to your homeowners coverage for a nominal cost and provides a limit of coverage to help you rebuild your identity should you be a victim of Identity Fraud. Please contact us for more information on this valuable coverage.

Contact us today for more information about Identity Theft.