WARNING TO STATE EMPLOYEES REGARDING ID THEFT PROTECTION
Please be aware that there are unscrupulous individuals who may try to take advantage
of the recent circumstances surrounding the recent theft of a data backup device.
Your best defense is to be acutely aware of the person with whom you are dealing.
If someone contacts you via e-mail or telephone and you are not absolutely sure
of the source, do not respond immediately. Contact your financial institution to
verify your concerns. Please be aware that no one from Debix will contact state
employees in any manner, including by telephone and email, to become registered
for their services unless you call them first. (Debix
is the provider of personal
identity theft and prevention services retained by the state of Ohio to assist state
employees). Never respond to a telephone call when personal or financial information
is requested from you - such as a social security number - unless you called them
first. Never respond to an email that requests personal or financial information,
even if it comes from a business or institution with which you do business.
If you believe that you may have been the target of a scam, report it to the local
authorities immediately. If this occurs at your office location, please direct your
concerns to the State Highway Patrol.
For more information regarding various ways to protect you and your personal information,
go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt01.shtm.