CFO Jimmy Patronis: Don’t Become a Victim 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 that there was 1.4 million reports of identity theft in 2021 alone.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “The Christmas season is the best time of year to spend with friends and family, however I encourage Floridians to not let their guards down when it comes to 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. A good start would be consistently taking precautions while going online, as well as periodically checking your credit report. This Christmas, if you feel like you’ve been scammed, report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.”

Five Tips from to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 X (@FLDFS).