| Scio Library hosts program on identity theft
Melanie Foster will talk at the Scio Public Library at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19 on the crime of identity theft - the wrongful acquisition and use of credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, medical information, and other personal data.Foster is a Eugene insurance agent and a graduate of the University of Arizona. She will explain how to prevent identity theft, whom to call when you find out that your personal data has been stolen, and how to undo the damage afterward. Identity theft involves more money worldwide than the trade in illegal drugs. Oregonians are particularly susceptible to this crime: Oregon ranks seventh for the number of victims among all states and countries in the world. Sponsored by the Friends of the Scio Public Library, the program is free of charge, although donations to the Library Building Fund will be welcomed. The Scio Public Library is at 38957 North First Avenue, adjacent to Scio City Hall.
Seminar provides tips to prevent identity theft
If knowledge is power, Carryl Grubbs has the upper hand.Grubbs, accompanied by her husband, Glen, was among a crowd of about 25 cautious Lake Saint Louis residents eagerly awaiting the start of a seminar Tuesday on how to prevent identity theft.The hour-long presentation, hosted by the city's police department, was meant to address the area's need for a heightened awareness of the dangerous issue, one that Grubbs said she now feels better prepared for."No one wants to think something is going to happen, but it's obvious that it happens before you know it," she said.That's what instructor Joan Crenshaw wanted her audience to remember most: When it comes to identity theft, it's all about prevention. So much so, said Crenshaw, senior vice president of New Frontier Bank, that she has been to dozens of church basements, organizations and homes in St.
Local banks host shred-a-thons to prevent identity theft
Local banks are stepping up their efforts to raise the public's awareness about how to prevent identity theft by shredding old documents.
Commerce National Bank & Trust in Winter Park said it is holding a free "shred-a-thon" today from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at its offices at 1201 S. Orlando Ave., Suite 100.
Another local bank, RBC Centura's Central Florida operation, is conducting an identity theft prevention "shred-a-thon" on Monday at its downtown Orlando branch, the bank said today.
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Protecting your identity is a smart thing to do
D ecember is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. According to the February 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report issued by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft affected approximately 8.4 million people. The estimated loss to business and individual victims was $43.9 billion. Often, ID theft victims don't even realize their identity was stolen. They may find out when a creditor or collection agency calls or a credit card is declined. To help consumers protect their identity, a number of credit monitoring and insurance protection programs are available. But, are these products right for you? Most experts recommend that you obtain a copy of your credit report at least once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to ensure accuracy and to look for signs of ID theft.
LifeLock signs pact with NRA
Identity theft prevention service company LifeLock added a big gun to its list of clients, signing the National Rifle Association in a pact that gives members of the firearms organization discounted rates. LifeLock, based in Tempe, communicates with the nation's largest credit reporting agencies to make stolen information unusable to thieves. Backed by a $1 million guarantee, the company essentially reports stolen data, including bank account, credit card and social security numbers, to the agencies to stop charges from being approved. The service also removes customers names from junk mail lists and pre-approved credit card offers. With the partnership, NRA members will receive 60 days of free service and a 10 percent discount. The monthly cost for LifeLock is $10.
Ex-con:ID theft can be prevented
Sparks resident Angela Cady knows firsthand the harm identity theft causes. "Identity theft is like murder. You're murdering that person's identity -- everything that they are on paper," she said. "It's really sad what it can do to people, how long it takes them to get their life straight again." More than 11.8 million Americans have been affected by identity theft since April 2004, according to the Sparks Police Department, which is holding a free identity theft prevention course Wednesday night. Information also will be provided on the appropriate steps for victims of ID theft to take. Cady isn't a victim. She spent six years in prison for stealing someone's identity and, having learned from her experience, shared her story to help others protect themselves.
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