Barrow County Sheriff Shares Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft

"People's identities are being used and stolen more than ever," Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said in an e-mail. 

The sheriff offers these tips for residents to protect themselves from identity theft.

• Always check your mailbox at home. Do not let mail pile up if possible because criminals will go through your mail and attempt to gain information about you or your family
• Shred or cut up your mail that have offers for credit cards or any other type of offers.
• NEVER give anyone your Social Security number over the phone and if you have to give your Social Security number you should verify first before giving it out
• Change your passwords to accounts or accounts online occasionally. Criminals can target you through your computer and hack into your information that way as well.