Identity Theft

Your cell phone, iPod and skateboard -- you probably keep a pretty close eye on these valuables when you're hanging out at the mall with friends. But did you know that your identity could be stolen just as easily as one of your possessions?

You know that leaving your wallet or purse unattended in public places is risky, but in today's world, leaving any piece of personal information can be just as dangerous. Let SLGFA point you in the right direction when it comes to safe-guarding your identity.

Deter, Detect, Defend: Avoid ID Theft is the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) identity theft Web site. Here you can learn how to avoid identity theft and what to do if your identity is stolen. You can also watch video interviews of people who have had their identity stolen and what they did to get their life back to normal.

The federal government's OnGuardOnline.gov site is a great resource for some tips to help you guard against Internet fraud, help secure your computer, and protect your personal information. There are some great games and videos on this site, too!

And to further help you protect yourself from identity theft, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has produced a multimedia presentation on YouTube titled Don't Be an On-Line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams.