OPSEC - Protecting your identity from theft

Published July 24, 2010
By Lt. Col. Tracey Hale
137 ARW/OGI

WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. --       Now that vacation time is here, remember that many companies collect personal information from their customers, including names, addresses, phone numbers, bank and credit card account numbers, income and cash histories, and even Social Security Numbers.
     As a result of the breadth of information available from so many sources, stories regarding telephone and Internet scams and fraud are becoming more prevalent every year.
     In a mere matter of days, an identity thief can ruin what has taken individuals years to build up. So, please do your best this summer to protect your information. Shred documents instead of just throwing them away, protect your personal computer networks, randomize your passwords and change them often, don't' give your Social Security number to anyone unless you're assured of how it will be used, stored, and protected and don't use Web commerce without assurance that the sight is secure.