Updated 09/22/2017

Identity theft continues to be a problem across the country. More than one in five Tennesseans have been the victim of identity theft or fraud in the past two years, according to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey, and consumers have a reason to be concerned about the possibility of their personal and financial information landing in the wrong hands.

The most popular crimes committed by identity thieves are fraudulent credit card use, ATM withdrawals, and tax refund theft.

The AAA report shows Tennesseans are taking steps to prevent identity theft by checking bank accounts and credit card transactions, receive email alerts on suspicious transactions and checking credit score. 

Giles County Sheriff Kyle Helton also warns about scam telephone calls, which continue to plague Giles Countians, who run the risk of their identity being stolen just by answering the telephone.

Don't answer the phone if you don't recognize the number, Helton said, but if you do answer, don't give out your Social Security or bank account numbers or other personal information. Don't send the caller any money. If you're told its for a family member, hang up and call that family member to see if the call is legitimate.

Report any scams to the Giles County Sheriff's Department at 363-3505.