Farmers(R) Insurance Offers Identity Theft Protection Tips to Families Across America Who Face Natural Disasters

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Safety, food, clothing and shelter are the first things that are addressed when it comes to providing for a family or individuals who are affected by disasters. Today however, as millions of us face a year-round threat of natural disasters, Farmers Insurance asks that a fifth consideration be added to the list: Identity Theft.

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"Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in America," notes Jeff Dailey, Farmers President of Personal Lines. "The last thing someone needs after surviving such a horrific ordeal, is some unscrupulous person committing identity theft on them and causing more pain and damages."

Farmers Insurance offers proactive tips on how to guard your identity prior to a disaster and afterward.

    PRIOR:
    --  Plan and prepare for disasters and evacuations before they occur.
    --  Keep important documents (such as State ID's, Social Security Cards,
        Birth Certificates, immigration Papers, Marriage Licenses, Passports,
        Bank Accounts, Deeds, etc.) in a secure location that can be easily
        retrieved when evacuating.
    --  If you evacuate, be sure to take computers, cell phones and other
        electronics that may have personal information on them with you.
        Also, be sure these devices are password protected in case they must
        be left behind.
    --  Have a copy of important documents in a Safe Deposit Box or other
        secure location, away from your residence, in case you can not take
        your originals.


    AFTER:
    --  Notify your credit card companies and financial institutions of any
        missing documents
    --  Call the credit bureaus and place a 90-day fraud alert to protect your
        credit files.
    --  If items are stolen, or misused, file a police report.
    --  Replace missing documents as soon as possible.
    --  Be cautious of fake scams trying to get information from you after a
        disaster.

Farmers insurance has developed comprehensive identity theft coverage called Identity Shield. Farmers Identity Shield helps you restore your identity after an identity fraud or theft. Those who have experienced Identity Theft know how hard it is to fix and how much time it takes," he added.

Dailey explained that Identity Shield includes a 24/7 advocate to guide and assist victims. An expert also is on call to answer any questions policyholders may have about identity theft. "There is much more, including assistance in replacing lost, stolen or damaged identification documents after a disaster," Dailey said.

For more information on identity theft and how to prevent it, contact your local Farmers agent or visit http://www.Farmers.com

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers(R) is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at http://www.farmers.com.