THIS IS IDENTITY THEFT AWARENESS WEEK AND ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL’S OFFICE HAS SOME TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF. 

IDENTITY THEFT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION SAYS SUSAN ELLIS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CONSUMER PROTECTION HEAD. THAT MEANS NOT USING PUBLIC WI-FI TO SHOP ONLINE OR CONDUCT BANKING, SETTING UP SEPARATE USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS FOR DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS, AND BEING CAREFUL WITH YOUR MAIL. EVEN JUNK MAIL.

SHE ALSO RECOMMENDS CHECKING YOUR BANK STATEMENTS AND CREDIT REPORT FOR ANY UNUSUAL ACTIVITY.

ELLIS SAYS IF YOU DO BECOME A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT YOU CAN FILE A COMPLIANT ONLINE AT: ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL DOT GOV.

ELLIS SAYS YOU SHOULD ALSO THINK ABOUT CREATING A TWO-STEP AUTHENTICATOR ON APPS LIKE PAY PAL AND VENMO.