Steps to ensure that you don't become an identity thief's next victim!

     Be careful when asked for your telephone number. Giving your phone number in response to contests or online promotions can lead to unwanted calls and messages.

     Never respond to unsolicited text messages. This lets the sender know they've reached a working number and may lead to more messages in the future.

     Consider blocking all text message services for your phone. While this may be somewhat inconvenient if you like texting your friends, it will protect you from this growing form of identity theft.

     Be cautious about the services to which you subscribe.

     Be wary of urgent messages that request personal information.

    Report any messages to your local consumer protection agency that seem "too good to be true" or advertise illegal items.

Many unsolicited electronic ads and scams originate overseas, often making it extremely difficult to track the individuals who are responsible. Take the initiative to protect yourself by never responding to spam text messages.

Know what to do if you think you're a victim of ID theft.