Identity Theft in Arizona:

RED ALERT! Arizona is #1 in Identity Theft!

Here are the latest figures on identity theft in the United States
The Top 10 states for identity theft (on per-capita basis)

Ranking / State / Victims per 100,000 people / Total Victims
# 1 /Arizona / 142.5 / 8,186

# 2 /Nevada /125.7 / 2,935
# 3 / California /122.1 / 43,839

Tips to prevent Identity Theft: Don't provide your Social Security Number unless it is absolutely required by a company; ask companies to provided you with an alternate ID number. Change any ID card that uses your SSN as a reference number. Use a cross shredder to shed all paperwork with valuable information on it, such as your SSN, computer passcodes, old credit cards, and personal information. Lock your mailbox and give your carrier a spare key, or use a P.O. Box at a local station. Do not reply to phishing scams (Internet e-mail); always contact companies by typing in a direct e-mail address. If a bank contacts you at home to verify recent activity on a card, tell them you want to verify the call before you speak with them. Then call your bank directly and ask for verification. Call your credit card bank and request they stop sending you blank checks in the mail. Never leave mail unattended, or in your car in plain sight; people may break in and steal all the information they need to steal your identity! Keep careful track of your checks and card purchases; compare against your monthly statement on a regular basis. Keep your blank checks locked away from visitors; thousands of family members and house guests steal blank checks each year from unknowing/trusting people-- don't trust people you don't know, and don't accept anyone's trusting word on a houseguest. Use your bank's online website to verify your banking account activity on a regular basis. Don't allow someone to swipe your card out of your sight; if you did that with a debit card they can wipe you clean by copying your number (credit cards are safer in this regard - most banks will limit your liability). If you use a computer to buy things, or pay bills with, make sure your Internet connection is secure; increased use of non-locked wireless connections translates to an increased risk for someone to tap in. NEVER store your numbers, passcodes or personal information on your computer - not even in a folder in your E-mail Inbox. Write them down and tuck them away safely. Mix up your passcodes, using numbers and letters, PARTS of words, underscores, whatever - never use pet or child names, or anything code crackers can search for. Code crackers have multiple computers going 24/7 that search for computers left running idle which look for common names; log off your computer when it's not in use. Change your passcodes frequently, and do not replicate them for multiple accounts (I know this one is a pain, but be safe). Check your credit report online on a regular basis; it's free once a year, and there are three different national companies to choose from. Checking online takes no more than five to ten minutes. You will be asked several questions to verify your identity so be prepared with your old addresses, work history/dates, and so forth. Make sure to always use the same exact name and spelling on all your accounts; this will make verifying your report and accounts easier, and make it tougher on a thief!

For more information on keeping yourself secure and safe, look for updated information on this blog. Also, go online occasionally and look for new tips. You don't want to be the next victim who has to spend a hundred extra hours of your time cleaning up your record.