Mamou Police Chief Brent Zackery shares identity theft protection tips

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On Friday, Mamou Police Chief Brent Zackery shared tips on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.
In a release from the chief, it states, “Identity theft is a federal crime,” and “while no one is safe from identity theft, there are steps you can take to lower your risks.”
Zackery’s release went on to state that the public should “beware of traditional tactics that identity thieves continue to use.”
The following are “everyday dangers” the chief says to avoid and prevention tips.
To prevent mail theft, Zackery said, “try using a P.O. Box or put outgoing mail into a postal mailbox.”
His release goes on to state that the public should “shred unwanted documents containing personal information” to prevent theft by dumpster diving.
Zackery also said that you should “shield keypads and avoid sharing your personal information over the phone in public” to prevent what he calls “shoulder surfing,” or “looking over your shoulder.”
He suggests to “minimize what you carry in your wallet/purse, and never carry your social security card or PINs/passwords.”
In the chief’s final tip, he warns, “before divulging personal information to anyone, know with whom you’re dealing,” and “don’t trust email addresses given by unknown people.”
He release goes further by stating, “search online for a company’s name and website and read online reviews of the person or business. Never reply to messages asking for personal information, and do not call phone numbers or click on links contained in these messages.”
The final tip is to “never send money or account information in reply to notices that you won a prize or lottery.”
If you have any questions regarding identity theft, contact the Mamou Police Department at (337) 468-5221.