Last year, 635,000 cases of fraud and identity theft were reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information – social security number, credit cards, bank accounts, etc. – without your permission. An inconvenience at best, identity theft can wreak havoc with your life by damaging your reputation and your credit report.

What You Can Do to Prevent Identity Theft

To prevent theft of your personal information always err on the side of caution when giving out your personal information and disposing of mail.

• Shred all bills and credit card offers. Your mail and trash are prime locations for thieves.
• Do not leave mail with checks or bills in an open mailbox.
• Find a safe place to store personal belongings at work. Workplaces are a prime target for identity theft.
• Keep all important documents in a secure place in your home, especially if you have roommates or outside workers in your home.
• Do not carry your social security card with you or any extra credit or ATM cards that you won’t be using.
• Make sure your computer has firewall and virus protection.
• Check your credit report annually.

For your convenience and added protection, we offer identity theft insurance as an add-on to your homeowner’s policy.

How Will I Know If My Identity Has Been Stolen?

Most victims discover that their identity has been compromised when they receive a credit card bill with unexplained charges or when they visit an ATM only to discover a depleted bank balance. In more extreme cases, victims discover that their identity has been stolen when they are arrested for crimes they didn’t commit or when creditors begin calling for payment of overdue bills they didn’t know they had.

Recover Your Life

For a low monthly fee, this additional coverage will help you recoup costs associated with resolving issues created by the theft of your personal information. Reimbursable expenses can include lost wages, fees and business costs of clearing your credit report and other financial dealings related to the fraud, and some legal fees as approved by the insurer.

Take Back Control

Don’t wait for someone to take control of your personal information. Take all necessary steps to protect your identity and financial information. Let us know how we can help you protect yourself and your assets.

Contact us for more information about identity theft coverage as an add-on to your residential insurance policy.