Older adults are often the targets of identity theft. Protect yourself! There is no way to entirely protect yourself from identity theft but you can make it hard for someone to steal you identity.

Knowing how your finances work is the first step. The Purdue Extension Offices in Tippecanoe and White Counties offer classes in finances.

Purdue Extension Office, Tippecanoe County
765-474-0793
3150 Sagamore Parkway South
Lafayette, IN 47905
Offers fall classes to individuals on financial management and budgeting, for a small fee.

Purdue Extension Office, White County
219-984-5115
12 North 25 East
Reynolds, IN 47980-8091
www.ces.purdue.edu/white
Provides financial education program for $40.00.
Call to register. Includes basic financial management, budgeting, balancing a checkbook, and savings accounts. Will work with court ordered individuals who need assistance in developing financial skills.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

There is no way to entirely protect yourself from identity theft but you can make it hard for someone to steal you identity.

• Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse or other documents that contain your Social Security number unless you need them. If your driver’s license contains you Social Security number, ask your local BMV to have it removed.
• If you aren’t using one of more credit cards, cancel them in writing with the issuing fi nancial institution.
• DO NOT write your personal identification number (PIN) on the back of your credit card and don’t write it on a little sheet of paper you carry in your wallet or purse.
• Instead of signing the back of your credit/debit card, write “check photo id” in the signature block.
• Check your credit card bills and bank statements carefully every month, looking for activity you don’t recognize.
• Make copies of the front and back of all your credit and debit cards, then place the copy in a secure location. If your card is lost of stolen, you have the relevant information to cancel.
• A good deal of stolen personal information comes from “pre-approved credit” offers you receive in the mail – and then discard unopened. To stop the offers, you can opt out by calling (888)5-OPTOUT (888-567-8688).
• Take your outgoing mail to a local post office or deposit it in the postal service box in your neighborhood and pick up your incoming mail as soon as possible.
• Consider purchasing an inexpensive home paper shredder. Shred anything that contains any sort of personal information.
• Don’t give out personal information in person, over the phone, by mail or on the Internet unless you made the initial contact or you are absolutely certain you know the people to whom you are giving information.