February 05 , 2003
Wednesday - 12:15 am

Juneau - Alaska Attorney General Gregg D. Renkes has joined a group of federal, state and local organizations and national advocacy groups to launch the fifth annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), February 2-8, 2003, to highlight consumer protection and education efforts. This year's theme, "Information Security: Putting the Pieces Together," focuses on practical steps consumers and businesses can take to manage their personal and sensitive information wisely and help minimize its misuse.

"Online safety is the responsibility of everyone who uses a computer, regardless of their age or occupation" said Attorney General Renkes. "I encourage everyone to take a look at the security of their personal information, online or off."

The good news is that securing our computers is largely a matter of routine maintenance. For consumers or business people, strong passwords, firewalls and up-to-date anti-virus software can go a long way toward protecting computers, and personal or business information from those who would try to damage a network operation, or worse yet, steal personal information to commit a crime.

Attorney General Renkes offers these tips to help consumers manage their personal information wisely, and to help minimize its misuse.

• Before you reveal any personally identifying information - such as address, phone number, social security number or e-mail address - always find out how it will be used and whether it will be shared with others. Ask about the company's privacy policy: Will you have a choice about the use of your information; can you choose to have it kept confidential?
• Read the privacy policy on any website directed to children. Websites directed to children or that knowingly collect information from kids under 13 must post a notice of their information collection practices. Teach your children to check with you before giving out personal or family information.
• Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone numbers. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or obvious choices like a series of consecutive numbers or your hometown football team.
• Never give anyone your passwords or pin numbers. Con artists may try to trick you into providing this information by pretending to be your service provider.
• Minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry to what you'll actually need. Don't put all your identifying information in one holder in your purse, briefcase or backpack.
• Keep items with personal information in a safe place. When you discard receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, bank checks and statements, expired charge cards,
  credit offers you get in the mail and mailing labels from magazines, tear or shred them. That will help thwart any identity thief who may pick through your trash or recycling bins to capture your personal
  information.
• Consider ordering a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (CRAs) every year. Make sure it's accurate and includes only those activities you've authorized. CRAs can't charge you more than $9.00 for a copy and in some states, your credit report is free.
• Use a secure browser when shopping online to guard the security of your transactions. When submitting your purchase information, look for the "lock" icon on the browser's status bar to be sure your information is secure during transmission.

For more information about NCPW, visit the NCPW website at www.consumer.gov/ncpw. If you think you have been a victim of identity theft or have experienced other misuses of your personal information, you may contact the Attorney General's office to obtain a complaint form at www.law.state.ak.us/consumer/, or (907) 269-5100.

Source of News Release:

Office of the Governor
Web Site

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