The Better Business Bureau is partnering with the National Foundation of Credit Counseling (NFCC) to protect and educate consumers about the dangers of identify theft. In order to create wide-spread awareness of this growing threat, October 17-24 has been named National Protect Your Identity Week. BBBs across the nation will be holding various events.
Your BBB of Southern Colorado is inviting the public to stop by our office at 25 North Wahsatch Avenue in Colorado Springs that week to pick up a free ID theft prevention brochure. Consumers can stop by between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
In 2008, there were more than 10 million victims of identity theft. This figure represents a 22 percent increase since 2007. In cases where the consumer knew how their identity was stolen, the majority of theft occurs as the result of stolen physical documents and wallets (43 percent), while online methods account for only 11 percent.
National Protect your Identity Week will provide the public with educational tools to help consumers guard against identity theft.
Consumers can find more information about avoiding ID theft by going to www.protectyouridnow.org. The site features an interactive quiz to help consumers assess their risk of identity theft; videos, blogs and identity theft prevention tips. The Web site is also available in Spanish at www.cuidesuidentidad.org.
A number of other national organizations are joining the BBB and the NFCC to support this week. The coalition includes: The American Bankers Association Education Foundation, AFSA Education Foundation, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Credit Union National Association, Federal Trade Commission, Identity Theft Resource Center, Jump$tart Coalition for Financial Literacy, Junior Achievement USA, National Council of LaRaza, National Crime Prevention Council, National Education Association Member Benefits, National Sheriff’s Association, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the National Association of Triads.