Giving out your digits Published March 11, 2008 By Melissa Johnson Joint Force Protection Team FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Every week there is another horror story about it. Television ads depict protection from it and most of us know someone who has had it happen to them. What is "it?" Identity theft! My own mother-in-law discovered someone had used her identity to charge more than $5,000 in airline tickets on one of her active credit cards. It took two months of phone calls to get it removed and to this day, she does not know where the identity thieves got her personal information from. With a threat like this looming, we would think that safeguarding our personal information would be paramount, yet nearly every day, someone on this base loses their military identification card. Active duty, retirees and family members' ID cards contain the information needed for someone to gain access to you. In 2007, FAFB had 235 reported lost ID cards with an additional 27 reported stolen. By the end of the first week of February 2008, we had 68 reported lost ID cards and 15 reported stolen. Simple math shows us that we will far surpass last year's number of ID cards lost/stolen by the end of the year should this trend continue. As per the Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov), there are a few ways someone can obtain your personal information. Stealing wallets which contain IDs, stealing mail which contains credit card applications and bank information, rummaging through your trash for mail you have thrown away and posing by phone or email as someone who needs the information about you are just a few ways that someone can steal your identity. Another concern for the lost or stolen ID cards is often forgotten but equally as important...the Force Protection concern. An ID card found or stolen by an unauthorized person can be used to gain access to the installation. Ways that you can protect yourself: - Safeguard your military identification card like you would your credit card, checkbook and cash. Do not leave your wallet unattended in a shopping cart, vehicle or unlocked gym locker. (These are all scenarios from stolen FAFB ID cards) - Shred, shred, shred! If it comes in the mail, shred it! - Never provide personal information over the phone or email. Request they mail you a letter explaining who they are and why they need your information. If/When the letter arrives, check out the company. "Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America," said Special Agent Jon Martens, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 322. "Last year nearly 10 million Americans fell victim [to identity theft], costing them roughly $5 billion." Don't become another victim of "it!" Do your part to protect yourself and the base by safeguarding your military ID card.