Tips to help minimize your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft:

• Be cautious, don't share share personal information with anyone you meet through the Internet.
  
  
• Do not respond to any messages that ask you for your password, even if they appear to be from someone in authority.
  
  
• Personal information on paper should be shredded
  
  
• Never dispose of personal information on public terminal trashcans
  
  
• Shred an important paper information with any personal information, statements, bank, creditors and credit offers
  
  
• Install and keep current any antivirus and firewall protections.
  
  
• Before sending personal and financial information over the internet, look for a secure Padlock icon in your toolbar.
  
  
• Use a credit service to regularly monitor personal information on the three major consumer credit reporting companies.