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.
