March 3, 2010 > Protect yourself from identity theft Protect yourself from identity theft By Meenu Gupta The opportunities you face each day for identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in the country, are countless but you can make sure it is harder for the thief to reach you. It is always advisable to shred any document containing your social security number or credit card number before disposing of it. Bank account or any personal information should never be given to an unknown party, in person or on the phone. For products purchased online, the website should offer a secure method on encoding your personal information. California Senator Ellen M. Corbett is hosting a consumer education seminar on Identity Theft and Fraud and Scam Prevention in Fremont and Union City this month. At the seminars, experts will present information on common scams to avoid, ways to protect yourself and tips on what to do if you have been a victim of fraud or scam. Please RSVP to (510) 577-2310. Identity Theft and Fraud and Scam Prevention Friday, March 5 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Fremont Multi Services Senior Center 40086 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont (510) 577-2310 Thursday, March 18 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Ralph & Mary Ruggieri Senior Center 33997 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City (510) 577-2310