Better Business Bureau offers advice to avoid identity theft

Ohio consumers lost more than $85 million to fraud in 2021, and the state and Dayton region saw explosive growth in identity theft reports.

ID theft reports nearly doubled in Ohio last year, according to the FTC, and they increased 86% in the Dayton region. Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. It can damage your credit status and cost you time and money.

Identity theft is considered a swift and silent crime. Your identity can be stolen in a number of ways: stolen checks; ATM cards; fraudulent change of address; social security number misuse; passports; driver’s license, etc. People often don’t know they’re a victim until they receive bills for items they didn’t buy, debt collectors call about accounts they didn’t open, mail stops arriving or is missing from their mailbox, they are denied for loans or they find information on their credit reports for accounts they didn’t open.

One way to fight against identity theft is to shred documents with your personal information. The Better Business Bureau hosts a free shredding event to help. Secure Your ID Day will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Routsong Funeral Home in Centerville. It’s a great opportunity to shred files such as credit card statements, old checks,

IRS tax returns, credit card applications, insurance forms, financial statements, health forms and billing statements from utilities.

The BBB offers these tips to combat identity theft:

■ Check your credit reports regularly. You’re allowed one free credit report per year from the three credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com.

■ Monitor account statements to be sure you were the source for all activity.

■ Shred credit card applications and statements before throwing them away.

■ Look for secure websites. Make sure the website has a locked pad icon and “https” in the URL address.

■ Protect your PINs and other passwords and change them regularly. Avoid using easily available information, such as your mother’s maiden name, birth date, the last four digits of your social security number, phone number, etc.

■ Cut up credit cards before pitching them and limit the amount of cards you carry.

■ Consider opting out of pre-approved credit card offers, which can be stolen from your mailbox.

■ Update your computer with the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

■ Don’t respond to e-mails requesting you verify personal information. Avoid unsolicited e-mails and never click on links from unknown sources.

■ Store personal information, including your Social Security card, in a safe place. Do not carry it in your wallet.