Attorney general offers tips for safe shopping


Thursday, November 30, 2006
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Attorney general offers tips for safe shopping

With the holiday shopping days moving fast by us, Attorney General Jim Hood would like to remind Mississippians that a little extra caution will go a long way in helping you avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.

“Thieves are out there just waiting on an opportunity,” said Attorney General Hood. “You have to be cautious and stay alert in order to beat them at their game.”

Here are some tips suggested by the Attorney General to help you avoid losing your identity this holiday shopping season:

Pay with cash as often as possible.
Carry only the identification cards, credit cards and debit cards that you absolutely need.
Only give your Social Security number when absolutely necessary. Ask if you can use another form of identification.
Ask that your Social Security number be removed from your driver’s license.
Shred documents that contain important personal information.
Carefully review your credit card or bank statements to check for withdrawals or charges you don't recognize.
Place passwords on your credit card, debit card, bank, phone or any other utility accounts you have. Avoid using easily available information such as your mother’s maiden name, the last four digits of your Social Security number or your birth date.

To learn more about protecting your identity, go to www.agjimhood.com, click on “resources and links” and then “forms and publications” and take a closer look at the Identity Theft Handbook and Pamphlets.

If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft, call the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-281-4418.

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