ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo is urging New Yorkers to protect themselves against identity theft during the busy holiday shopping season.
As part of a consumer alert that was issued on Thursday, the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) has released its “Top 5 Tips” for New Yorkers to safeguard themselves from falling victim to identity theft while shopping in-store and online.
The tips are:
1. Safeguard Your Personal Information, Online and Off:
- Install a firewall and virus protection on your home computer;
- Never send sensitive personal information, like credit card numbers, via email;
- Do not give out personal information over the phone.
2. Keep a Close Eye on Your Card at the Store.
3. Don’t Get Hooked by ‘Phishing’ Scams Online:
- Make sure that you are actually on the website you wish to be on;
- When using email, be cautious about clicking on hyperlinks or attachments on unsolicited messages.
4. Regularly Check Your Statements and Credit Reports.
5. Report Lost Cards or Suspicious Charges Immediately.
For further suggestions on how to safeguard your identity from scammers, please visit www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/idtheft.
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