By Scott Miller
scottmiller@pantagraph.com 

BLOOMINGTON — The story never gets old this time of year: Some Grinch wants to steal your Christmas, and in some cases, your life.

As shoppers race to buy gifts before the holidays arrive, they often become more lax with personal information and credit card numbers, said Stan Ommen, president of State Farm Bank and chairman of the Identity Theft Assistance Center, a bloc of financial institutions.

“It’s a time of year when people are busy,” Ommen said, warning people to safeguard their personal information. “With the emphasis that’s placed on (identity theft), financial institutions are doing a better job of protecting consumers … I still encourage people to always monitor their credit statements.” Read more.

OSA Editorial Comments:

What better gift could you give yourself this year, than a very easy way to protect you from ID theft.

Your Online Security Authority
Bill Wardell

Popularity: 5% [?]

OSA Technorati Tags: Assistance Center, Bloc, consumers, Credit Card Numbers, Credit Statements, Editorial Comments, financial institutions, Grinch, Holidays, Identity Theft, Ommen, Pantagraph, President Of State, Scott Miller, Scottmiller, Shoppers, Stan, State Farm, State Farm Bank, Time Of Year

• Financial Freedom in Five Years (and the Difference Between Rich and Wealthy)
• What is a Thrift Bank?
• Recession Not Through With Us Yet
• The Best Places To Get A Low Rate Credit Card
• P.E.P. for the Week of February 14-18/11-Planning Edition
• Reasons Why it is More Fun and Logical to Monitor Net Worth not Credit Scores
• Retirement Planning 101
• Capitalism is Good - Leave It Alone
• How to Get Approved for Online Unsecured Personal Loans
• Weekend Personal Finance Review