Business chamber: How to avoid identity theft

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The Emery County Business Chamber heard from Vikki Barnett from Washington Federal Bank, she spoke to the audience about fraud. She said her parents owned the Fausett’s drive in in Helper and she started cooking there at a young age. She said often times you don’t think about fraud and identity theft unless it happens to a family member or to you.
She said if strange emails show up that you’re not familiar with it could be fraud and phishing emails to get you to reveal your personal information.
Emails are always getting hacked and used to try to obtain information from people. Be aware of where emails are coming from.
Title closings are vulnerable times for identity fraud. If people find out you’re closing on a house they try to send phony closing papers that change something and usually it’s to ask for more closing fees and send them to a specific bank account. Be aware, that’s not how it’s done.
When personal information is stolen, it’s usually to commit fraud. There are 13.1 million adult victims each year and one victim every two seconds. Certain events cause you to be more prone to fraud activities including, getting married, divorced, getting a new job, losing a job and several others.
It helps if you change your passwords a lot and make them difficult. Store them in a safe place. Limit what you carry in your wallet. Shred all personal information including medical statements and receipts.
Protect your info. Get on the do not call list. Review bank statements often and watch for unauthorized charges. Get your free credit report. Install securities on your computer. Don’t’ click on links in emails. Report anything suspicious to the federal trade commission at 1-877-438-4338. Jan. 20 is the next lunch/learn at noon at the Museum of the San Rafael.