The Federal Trade Commission has reported that Illinois is one of the states with the highest rate of identity theft. Listed below are seven recommended tips to help prevent identity theft.

• Find out how your personal information will be used before revealing it.
• Shred or tear up receipts, financial statements and pre-approved credit applications before discarding or recycling them.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles and follow up if a bill does not arrive on time.
• Deposit outgoing mail in a collection box or the post office rather than leaving it for your postal worker. Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts.
• Do not give out personal information over the Internet or through the mail unless you initiate the contact or are familiar with the recipient.
• Order a copy of your credit report every year.
• Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary.

Home Repair Fraud

Read the Geneva Police Department's Consumer fraud pamphlet or for more information visit the Illinois Attorney General's website.