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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike McGeehan |
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McGeehan: ID protection more important now than ever
HARRISBURG, Jan. 15 – At a Harrisburg news conference today, state Rep. Mike McGeehan, D-Phila., cautioned consumers to be especially on guard against identity theft during these tight economic times.
McGeehan was speaking in support of the Identity Theft Action Plan, a new initiative by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania State Police and state Department of Transportation to make people more aware of identity theft, how to avoid it, and what to do if they find they are an ID theft victim.
For several years, McGeehan, himself an ID theft victim, has worked to increase public awareness of the problem and encourage tougher laws for ID theft fraud.
McGeehan said he's an example that identity theft can hit anyone.
"The best defense is education and to guard your personal information jealously," McGeehan said. "That especially applies to your Social Security number and bank and credit card account numbers."
McGeehan also warned against responding to e-mails supposedly from financial institutions about account problems or offering tempting credit.
"If you have a problem with your credit, a reputable firm is going to notify you in a more direct way than e-mail," McGeehan said. "Check and double-check e-mail and regular mail that seeks to get you to respond with personal information."
More information on the ID Theft Action Plan is available at www.identitytheftactionplan.com.