In our tech-driven world, protecting your identity from thieves is a top priority. Identity theft and credit card fraud are serious issues that require proactive measures. Below are some tips to help you safeguard your personal information and keep those crooks at bay.

1. Keep Your Personal Info Locked Up: First things first, keep your sensitive documents safe. Store important items like your Social Security card, passport, and driver’s license in a secure place. Also, be cautious about sharing too much personal information online or on social media. You don’t want to make it easy for the bad guys to find your info.
   
2. Power Up Your Passwords: Get serious about passwords. Create strong ones for all your online accounts. Mix upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make them tough to crack. Avoid using your pet’s name or your birthday. Use a password manager if you need help keeping track of them all.
   
3. Stay on Top of Your Accounts: Regularly keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements. Scan for any unfamiliar transactions or charges. If something looks fishy, don’t waste time—report it to your bank right away. The sooner you act, the better your chances of minimizing any damage.
   • You are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. To request your annual free credit report, please visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free at 1-877-322-8228. The contact details for the three nationwide credit reporting companies are as follows:  
     • Equifax: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374, www.equifax.com, 1-800-685-1111  
     • Experian: PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com, 1-888-397-3742  
     • TransUnion: PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19016, www.transunion.com, 1-800-916-8800  
       
4. Don’t Take the Bait: Watch out for phishing scams, where scammers trick you into revealing personal info. Be skeptical of emails, texts, or calls asking for sensitive data or urging you to act urgently. Legitimate organizations won’t ask for that stuff through those channels.
   
5. Lock Down Your Online Shopping: When shopping online, play it safe. Stick to secure websites with that little padlock icon and “https://” in the web address. Those indicate a secure connection. And hey, avoid making purchases when you’re on public Wi-Fi. It’s like leaving your front door wide open for hackers.
   
6. Add an Extra Shield: Enable two-factor authentication whenever you can. It’s like adding a secret code to your accounts. You’ll get a unique verification code sent to your phone for that added layer of protection.
   
7. Shred Those Secrets: Before tossing any financial statements or credit card offers, shred them into tiny bits. Dumpster-diving thieves won’t stand a chance at getting your sensitive info.
   
8. Keep an Eye on Your Credit: Don’t forget to check your credit reports regularly. You’re entitled to a free one each year from the major credit bureaus. Review it to catch any signs of suspicious activity and make sure everything’s accurate.

Protecting your identity requires some effort, but it’s worth it. By following these simple tips, you’ll be well-prepared to defend against credit card and ID theft.

If you believe you may be a victim of identity theft, immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement (801-840-4000) to file a police report. The contact information for the Federal Trade Commission is as follows:   

Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), www.ftc.gov/idtheft