January 31, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission and local and state law enforcement agencies are reminding everyone to be proactive about protecting your personal information, during Identity Theft Awareness Week.

Officials say that if a criminal steals your information, they can use it to open financial accounts, steal tax refunds, or file fake health insurance claims.The Arizona Attorney General’s Office says simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft including using strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication for different online accounts; avoiding accessing sensitive information while using public WiFi networks; being cautious with unsolicited texts and emails; and promptly removing mail from your physical mailbox.

You should also review your credit card and bank statements regularly for unauthorized purchases; make sure the claims paid on your health insurance statements match the care you received; and shred documents with sensitive information before throwing them away.

The FTC has a series of webinars and other helpful information at consumer.ftc.gov.

Josh Freeman | KAZM News Director | josh@mellowmountainradio.com