It may seem like common sense advice; but it’s worth repeating. A few precautions can help you keep your personal information out of harm’s way.

• Most legitimate companies and agencies do not contact you unexpectedly and prompt you for personal information. Be suspicious of requests that seem out of the ordinary.
• If someone contacts you via phone or e-mail to alert you that you have been a victim of fraud, verify the person’s identity, title, business affiliation and contact their employer directly prior to supplying any personal information.
• Do not click on links in e-mails that ask you to supply personal information. First verify whether the e-mail is from a legitimate company or agency, then call the company directly or visit their Web site by using a search engine.
• Make certain that the Web site with which you conduct business posts privacy and security statements. Review them carefully to ensure your personal information is not being shared or sold to third parties without your consent.