How can I avoid becoming a victim of identity theft?

Identity theft is a serious crime rampant in Wisconsin that can cause personal and financial hardship. To avoid becoming a victim, you should take proactive steps to protect your personal information. First, never give out personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or passwords to any website, email, or telephone call. If someone calls claiming to be from a bank and asks for your account information, hang up and call the bank to verify the call. Second, do not carry extra credit cards, Social Security cards, or other sensitive documents in your wallet or purse. If you must carry them, store them in a secure location, like a safe or locked filing cabinet. Third, avoid downloading programs from unknown websites. These programs can contain malicious software that can steal your personal information. Fourth, be aware of phishing scams. Phishing scams are emails, texts, or phone calls from scammers pretending to be from financial institutions or other companies, asking for your personal information. Do not respond to these emails or calls. Fifth, shred documents with sensitive information and check your credit report regularly to detect possible identity theft. Finally, be sure to use strong passwords for all of your online accounts. Change them often and use a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. By following these simple steps, you can help protect yourself from identity theft and reduce the risks of becoming a victim.

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How can I avoid becoming a victim of identity theft?

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