"Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
Identity theft is the number one fraud complaint in the United States, according to the
Federal Trade Commission,1 and it’s also America’s fastest growing crime.2 Because of
this growing crime trend, consumers surveyed said identity theft insurance was second
only to auto insurance on their wish list of products their insurance provider should offer.3
Identity Services and Fraud Expense Coverage is available with your Farm Bureau
Member’s Choice property and liability coverage.4 It costs only $25 per year, and the
coverage includes $25,000 of Fraud Expense Coverage, One-on-One Resolution
Assistance – which provides a fraud specialist as your personal advocate to guide you
through the resolution process – and a number of proactive Identity Services such as
Identity Credit Monitoring and Identity Document Recovery to ensure rapid replacement
of personal, legal and financial documents and notification to insurance companies,
employers and financial institutions in the eve nt of a natural disaster. Talk to your Farm
Bureau agent today for more information.

There are some measures you can take to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of
identity theft or fraud.

Monitor your credit
Early detection of identity fraud may help prevent greater losses, so check your credit
reports with all three of the credit- monitoring services at least annually.5 Once a year,
you can get a free report from all three credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Online security
Use secure Web sites when shopping online. A Web address that begins with “https”
indicates the credit card information will be encrypted or secure. It’s a good idea to
designate one credit card for online purchases for easier tracking of activity.

Safeguard personal documents
Keep credit cards and personal documents that you don’t use regularly, like your passport
or birth certificate, in a safe place. Carry only the credit/debit cards you need, and don’t
carry your Social Security card.

Taking these precautions could help protect one of your most important assets – your
good name. Talk to your Farm Bureau agent today about adding identity theft protection
to your insurance coverage.

1 “Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data,” January –December 2005,
http://ping.fm/SDWCE visited January 29, 2008.
2 “Identity Theft is America’s Fastest Growing Crime,” U.S. Postal Inspection Service,
http://ping.fm/BUgGC visited January 29, 2008.
3 “Study: Homeowners express great interest in insurance providers offering coverage for identity theft,”
www.namic.org/topnews/061031st1.asp , posted October 31, 2006, visited March 11, 2008.
4 Farm Bureau Member’s Choice coverage and Identity Services and Fraud Expense Coverage only available in AZ,
IA, KS, MN, NE, NM, SD, UT.
5 TransUnion, www.transunion.com; Equifax, www.equifax.com; and Experian, www.experian.com.

Tips brought to you by Farm Bureau Financial Services. For more information about products and
services, call Tammy at (515) 957-1524 or Chris at (515) 957-1616.

Securities & services offered through EquiTrust Marketing Services, LLC+, 5400 University Ave.,
West Des Moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904, Member SIPC. Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance
Company+*, Western Agricultural Insurance Company+*, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company+*/West
Des Moines, IA. +Affiliates *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services
"

"Passing On More Than Traditions
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the most recent Census of Agriculture report reveals that age 57 is the average age of principal farm operators. Over the next decade, this group of farm operators will face the prospect of passing on the family farm to a new crop of American farmers.

Deciding how to pass on the family farm can be a sensitive topic. After all, a family business is not handed down through the generations as easily as heirlooms and traditions. A successful family business transfer takes careful planning and teamwork to develop a transition strategy for the business you’ve worked decades to build.

If you’re like most of us, you want to be the one making the key decisions when it’s time to transfer your farm or other business operation. That’s why it’s wise to be prepared – with a plan in place – when the time is right.

Ask yourself these questions to help determine if you’re ready to take the next step in succession planning.
Would you like to ...

Keep your family farm or business in the family for the next generation?

Distribute business assets to your children or grandchildren who are active in the family farm or business, while maintaining fairness to your other children or grandchildren?

Make sure your business heir has the right to buy your family farm and business assets?

Provide enough cash to pay off mortgages, personal or business debts and estate taxes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to get started in the business transition process. We can help you build a relationship with your estate planning team – attorney, accountant, banker – and assist in creating comprehensive estate and business succession strategies. Call your Farm Bureau agent today.

Tips brought to you by Farm Bureau Financial Services. For more information about products and services, call Tammy at (515) 957-1524 or Chris at (515) 957-1616.

Securities & services offered through EquiTrust Marketing Services, LLC+, 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904, Member SIPC. Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company+*, Western Agricultural Insurance Company+*, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company+*/West Des Moines, IA. +Affiliates *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services
"

"Road Rules for Your Young Driver
Driving can be challenging for anyone, but for those with little experience in the driver’s
seat, safety is a top concern. Fortunately, parents can take steps to increase the safety of
their young drivers by setting clear guidelines. Specific expectations can help keep your
teen focused and safe behind the wheel.

Buckle Up
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006 the majority
(58 percent ) of young people 16 to 20 years old involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes
were unbuckled. Require your teen driver and all passengers to wear safety belts at all
times; it is the law after all.

Limit Distractions
Young drivers can be easily distracted while driving. Limiting the number of passengers,
and restricting the use of cell phones and text messaging while behind the wheel can help
keep your teen focused on the road.

Zero Tolerance
Remind teen drivers that all states have zero tolerance laws for underage drinking and
driving. The majority of states have also adopted a graduated licensing system, which
restricts nighttime driving, teenage passengers, and requires that all occupants wear
safety belts. Graduated licensing requires that the permit-holder remain crash- and
conviction-free for a certain amount of time before receiving full licensure. Setting basic
road rules is one way to ensure that your teen driver understands that driving is a
privilege that must be respected.

Establish a Safe Driving Pledge with Your Teen
Visit www.fbfs.com for additio nal information and resources about teen driving,
including a Safe Driving Pledge that you and your teen can sign. It’s a good way to begin
the discussion of safe driving and helps set basic expectations and consequences for
driving performance. Click on Young Drivers in the Education & Tools section of our
website.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, www.nhtsa.dot.gov, visited March 19, 2008.
National Safety Council Young Drivers Fact Sheet, www.nsc.org, visited March 11, 2008.

Tips brought to you by Farm Bureau Financial Services. For more information about products and
services, call Tammy at (515) 957-1524 or Chris at (515) 957-1616.

Securities & services offered through EquiTrust Marketing Services, LLC+, 5400 University Ave.,
West Des Moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904, Member SIPC. Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance
Company+*, Western Agricultural Insurance Company+*, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company+*/West
Des Moines, IA. +Affiliates *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services
"