Every day, you may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car online, respond to email or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don't give these transactions a second thought. But someone else may.
There is a new kind of thief whose stock in trade is your everyday transactions, which is based on your personal information - your bank account, income, social security number, name, address, phone numbers and date of birth. Identity thieves take this information, without your knowledge, to commit fraud or theft.
How big is the problem?
Here are some startling statistics. According to a 2008 Federal Trade Commission report, Florida ranks third among states nationwide in the number of identity theft victims while Miami ranks first among Florida cities.
Although you can't completely prevent identity theft from occurring, you can minimize your risk by managing your personal information, wisely. The Miami-Dade County Consumer Services Department is working in conjunction with the public and private sectors to provide you with the knowledge to deal with this very serious economic crime. Read our Identity Theft brochure.
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