Source: CBS News
No one is safe from identity thieves, the Mayor of McClellanville included. Rutledge Leland’s identity was stolen and although he knew how common identity theft was, he never thought it could happen to him. Leland is the mayor of McClellanville and he owns the Carolina Seafood Company. He was surprised when a few Dell computers arrived at his place of business.

Then, he received a bill for 11-thousand dollars worth of computers and that’s when he realized something wasn’t right. He contacted Dell and after lots of disputes with the company, they refunded him his money and he returned the merchandise. But Leland wasn’t in the clear just yet. A new account appeared in his name for a cell phone he didn’t order. The mayor called the cell phone carrier who quickly closed the account.

Identity theft experts say that no one is safe, especially on the Internet. There are some tips to protect yourself from becoming the next victim. First, always check your bank statements to track your activity. Look out for emails that pose as your bank or other financial institutions, like credit cards. Be weary of who you give your information to on the Internet. Leland didn’t lose any money and he’s keeping a close watch on his personal information.