Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

What are the top pieces of information identity thieves look for?

1. Social security number
2. Checking account information
3. Credit card number(s)

Your account number is printed on the bottom of your checks – so treat your checks like gold and NEVER leave a check in the outgoing mail where a thief could grab it! (If you pay utility bills with checks, make sure you drop the envelope with the check in it directly into a mailbox or hand it to a postal worker).

We need to do our business differently – shred sensitive mail like pre-approved credit card applications or other documents with account or social security numbers.

Other tips to keep your identity safe:

• NEVER, no mater how legit it looks, cash a check that you did not earn
  
• NEVER give money to get money
• If it sounds too good to be true, it is (avoid any offers using terms like “free”, “no risk”, or “no obligation”
• Get your phone number on the DO NOT CALL list (see info from DA below)
  
• Freeze your credit (learn how below)
• Use credit cards and pay the balance every month (credit card companies monitor your purchases and are therefore are much safer than checks)
• Monitor your credit and get a free annual credit report www.annualcreditreport.com.
• NEVER respond to unsolicited communication (phone or email) asking for information verification (account number, full name, address, social security number, etc.) If you think the call might be legitimate, hang up and dial the number on the back of your credit card

Seniors are especially vulnerable to consumer fraud and identity theft. Encourage the seniors in your life to freeze their credit and learn about protecting themselves.

Toolkit:

• Step-by-step instructions to freeze your credit (it can easily be unfrozen)
• Download a template you can use to freeze your credit with each of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies
• Information from the DA’s office about protecting your identity and what to do if you are a victim
• Report suspicious activity to the Denver District Attorney's Fraud Hotline: 720-913-9179

Green Jobs for Women: Resources

On Wednesday, February 24, Mi Casa hosted an event to educate women about "green collar" job opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable construction and environmental science. More than 150 women attended the event, which included an overview of green jobs and the kinds of jobs available, local training options, the perspective of women working green jobs, and an employer presentation about key qualities of successful green job applicants.

If you weren't able to attend the event, click here to access a long list of green jobs resources, including job-search websites for green collar jobs, education and training, online networking sites, resources articles and more.

Pueblo Leader Joins Mi Casa Board

Mi Casa is pleased to announce that Betty Martinez, small-business owner and community leader from Pueblo, has joined the board of directors. Betty was appointed to the Denver-based Mi Casa board of directors to represent the interests of Pueblo and the small business development programs Mi Casa offers to residents of southern Colorado.

In addition to her involvement with Mi Casa, Betty has served in various capacities for nearly a dozen community groups and charitable organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Pueblo, the Pueblo Child Advocacy Center, the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce, YWCA, and Girl Scouts. Betty is a Colorado Lottery Commissioner and the current president of the Pueblo chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, better known by its acronym LULAC.

Betty owns a real estate company in Pueblo, and as a Latina entrepreneur herself, Betty was attracted to Mi Casa’s mission to empower underserved entrepreneurs to start their own small businesses. “The programs at Mi Casa really struck a chord with me because I understand the struggles in developing a business,” Betty says. “I became involved with Mi Casa to help open doors for women, people of color and veterans to be successful with their businesses.”

Betty joined Mi Casa’s advisory council to assist with the entrepreneurial training and technical assistance programs offered in Pueblo. Betty frequently serves as a guest presenter to the classes, sharing her insight and encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams of self-employment and business ownership. “I tell them that they can do this and that they should ask for advice along the way because people are more willing offer counsel than they realize.”

Betty will be the voice of southern Colorado on Mi Casa’s 12-member board of directors that has traditionally been comprised of only Denver residents. Betty believes that Mi Casa’s southern Colorado programs are vital resources for small business development and local economic growth, and she wants to ensure the sustainability of Mi Casa’s presence in Pueblo. “It’s a different community environment here in Pueblo,” Betty says. “We might not have all the resources that are available in the bigger cities, but we are a close-knit community committed to economic success and empowerment through business, and I want the Denver board members have a better understanding of southern Colorado so that we can be involved in the decisions that affect us.”