Cuyahoga County, OH - During Identify Theft Awareness Week, the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs encourages residents to take simple steps now to reduce their risk of identity theft throughout the year:

• Freeze your credit reports (it’s free!) to keep ID thieves from wrecking your credit. Learn more about credit freezes at: cuyahogacounty.gov/creditfreeze.
• Keep your computer, mobile devices, and social media accounts secure. Find easy-to-use tips at: cuyahogacounty.gov/internetsafety.
• Request free copies of your credit reports annually to spot accounts you didn’t open or suspicious inquiries. Visit annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
• Never share private information – including passwords, security codes, or account numbers – with anyone who contacts you by phone, email, or text.
• Find out the sneaky ways scammers steal personal info -- and how to protect yourself – in our Scam Squad Guide, available at: cuyahogacounty.gov/scamsquad.

Need one-on-one help? Call the Scam Squad line (216-433-7226) to speak to a Cuyahoga County Consumer Affairs investigator.