CALIFORNIA COMPUTER STOLEN FROM FARMER COOPERATIVE Stanislaus Seminar Aims To Prevent Identity Theft - News:
Stanislaus Seminar Aims To Prevent Identity Theft
Meeting Followed Disappearance Of Computer From Cooperative

MODESTO, Calif. -- The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department held a seminar Tuesday in an attempt to teach people how to protect themselves from identity theft.

The gathering was organized after a computer was stolen from a farmers' cooperative.

The computer contained sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and tax information.

The meeting also provided information about how to determine if a theft has taken place.

Detective Joe Knittel urged people to protect their passwords and not to leave items in a car or in other visible places.

"If you're going to conduct business over the Internet, know who you are dealing with and who you're giving your infomation to," Knittel added.

Officials also recommend picking up mail on a regular basis, checking bank accounts online every few days and reviewing credit reports once a year.