Protect yourself on the InternetJune 17, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Some 9 million Americans will have their identities stolen this year. Western Michigan University doesn't want you to be one of them. It can take years to reverse the personal and financial damage caused by a stolen identity. Avoid falling victim to identity theft and other Internet scams by safeguarding your personal information and following these guidelines for smart online communication. These same steps can help protect you from sexual predators, stalkers and other people looking to take advantage of you.
Students, faculty and staff members who receive questionable e-mail messages should delete them immediately, advises Thom Myers, WMU director of electronic communication. "Even if the sender claims to be from WMU, the IRS, or your bank or credit union, do not reply and do not provide any information to the sender," Myers says. "No legitimate organization should ever ask you to provide or confirm sensitive information via e-mail or a third-party Web site." Learn more To learn more about how to avoid identity theft and what to do if your identity is stolen, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft site. For more tips on protecting yourself and your personal information on the Internet, visit OnGuardOnline.gov. Media contact: Tonya Durlach, (269) 387-8400, tonya.durlach@wmich.edu WMU News |