Sheriff’s tips to reduce ID theft

To reduce your risk of identity theft and scammers getting your information:
Protect your social security number. Protect your checking and savings account numbers and also PIN numbers associated with those accounts.
Any online purchases with your credit/debit cards should only be made on secured websites. Never ever give out any of your personal information to anyone over the phone. Get their phone number and tell them you will call back. Then call the institution (in most cases, your bank or your credit card company) that they are referring to if you think it’s yours, and check the validity of their claim.
Remember the IRS will never ever ask you for money or your personal information over the phone. If you should receive an unsolicited email from the IRS, forward the message to [email protected].