CFO Jimmy Patronis: Beware of Identity Theft this Christmas Season

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In recognition of December as Identity Theft Prevention Month, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is providing Floridians with tips on how to best avoid becoming a victim of identity theft during this holiday season. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports 2.4 million reports of identity theft in 2022 alone with estimated losses totaling $8.8 billion.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “The Christmas season is the most wonderful time of year to spend with friends and family. It is also the best time of the year for scam artists and fraudsters to take advantage of the hustle and bustle, which is why it is so important to beware of identity theft. The financial consequences of having your identity stolen are devastating and can take years to recover from. Floridians should know the signs of identity theft and follow a few simple tips to avoid falling victim. Taking extra precautions while shopping online like visiting reputable websites as well as periodically checking your credit report can go a long way to protecting your identity. This Christmas, if you feel like you’ve been scammed or are suspicious of fraud, report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.”

Five Tips from to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft:

1. Protect documents that have personal information. Keep your financial records, Social Security and Medicare cards, and any other documents that have personal information in a safe place.

2. Be Careful with Your Social Security Number. Your social security number is a major target for identity thieves because it can give them access to your credit report and bank accounts.

3. Never carry your card with you. Instead, memorize your number and keep the card in a secure place at home or in a safe deposit box. Never write or print your social security number on checks.

4. Protect your information from scammers online and on your phone. Add multi-factor authentication for accounts that offer it. Multi-factor authentication offers extra security by requiring two or more credentials to log in to your account.

5. Secure Your Mail. Empty your mailbox quickly and get a mailbox lock. When mailing bill payments and checks, consider dropping them off at the post office or a secure mailbox.Check Your Credit Report. At least once a year, obtain and review your credit report for suspicious activity. You can request a free copy of your report at www.annualcreditreport.com or by contacting any one of the three major credit reporting agencies.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis  
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).