Win a stay at The Homestead in a Farm Bureau Insurance sweepstakes.

Inside this issue: 

More than 8 million Americans (4 percent of the adult population) fell victim to identity theft in 2007.  More...

Farm Bureau Insurance Racing

for NASCAR Sprint Cup

Farm Bureau Insurance is chasing a new checkered flag.  Fresh off of sponsoring the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008, we will serve as the primary sponsor for Joe Gibbs Racing for six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2009.  More...

Stay at The Homestead on Us

Looking to get away?  We've got you covered.  More...

Day Tripper

Virginia is fortunate to have many destinations that offer family fun without having to worry about hotels and flights.  Virginia Farm Bureau member Michael Litos recently visited the Virginia Safari Park and shared some of his thoughts.  More... 

Protect your Social Security number and reduce your risk of identity theft.

Preventing ID Theft

More than 8 million Americans (4 percent of the adult population) fell victim to identity theft in 2007. In all, those cases resulted in nearly $50 billion in total cost. In this issue of The Advantage, we offer tips to help you and your family reduce the risk of someone stealing your identity.

What do they use to steal your identity?
Anything you can do to keep your personal information personal will help reduce your risk of identity theft. Thieves covet the following:

• Your name, address and phone number
• Your date of birth
• Your Social Security number
• Your driver's license number
• Your credit card information
• Your bank account information
• Your mother's maiden name

Your Social Security Number (SSN)
This may be the key to cloning your identity. Yet, many of us make it easier for identity thieves by carrying our Social Security cards in our wallets. Try to avoid carrying cards that have your SSN on them, such as your health insurance cards.

What else can you do?

• Never give your SSN, credit card number or other personal data by phone unless you have an existing relationship with the business or agency AND you initiated the call by using a verified phone number.

• Don't use your SSN on job applications. Provide it only when absolutely necessary - for tax, employment, student records, property transactions, etc.

The Farm Bureau Insurance logo will adorn Toyotas driven in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this year.

Farm Bureau Insurance Racing for NASCAR Sprint Cup

Farm Bureau Insurance is chasing a new checkered flag.

Fresh off of sponsoring the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008, we will serve as the primary sponsor for Joe Gibbs Racing for six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2009.

Farm Bureau will be displayed prominently on the No. 11 Toyota driven by Denny Hamlin twice during the 2009 season: May 9 at Darlington and Sept. 6 at Atlanta.

We also will adorn Joey Lagano's No. 20 Toyota on Oct. 25 at Martinsville. Farm Bureau will sponsor a fourth Joe Gibbs Racing entry three times: Oct. 17 at Charlotte, Nov. 8 at Texas and Nov. 22 at Homestead, the final race of the season.

"We benefited immensely from our sponsorship of the Nationwide Series," said Matt Smith, director of marketing at Farm Bureau Insurance. "We're excited to take Farm Bureau Insurance to the next level of racing, and we expect to continue to raise awareness of Farm Bureau and all that we have to offer our members."

Our initial foray into sponsoring Joe Gibbs Racing culminated with Kyle Busch winning at Texas Motor Speedway at the last Nationwide Series event of the year. Busch, Hamlin and Lagano shared time behind the wheel as Farm Bureau Insurance sponsored the No. 18 car six times.

That wasn't our first experience with auto racing, however.

For the past three years, Farm Bureau Insurance has sponsored a race team at South Boston Speedway and has been the primary sponsor of the Motorsports Academy Race team, an education-based initiative created by Halifax County Public Schools. The program allows students enrolled in motorsports classes at Halifax County High School to work as the pit crew for an active race team and includes a $1,000 scholarship awarded during each of the two race seasons.

Follow all of our racing exploits at our new Web site: www.farmbureauinsuranceracing.com.

A stay at The Homestead is the prize in a Farm Bureau Insurance sweepstakes for members who refer friends and family.

Looking to get away? We've got you covered. 

Refer three friends to Farm Bureau Insurance, and we'll enter you into a sweepstakes for three days and two nights at The Homestead, the historic Hot Springs, Va., resort nestled in the Allegheny Mountains. Enjoy Southern charm, delicious food, championship golf and simple relaxation at one of Virginia's finest resorts. 

You could win a package valued at about $1,000 for referring your friends and family to Farm Bureau Insurance for face-to-face attention and fast claims service.  Deadline for entry is March 24.

Click here for more information.

At the Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge, camels are just one of the animals that will approach your vehicle.

Day Tripper

Virginia is fortunate to have many destinations that offer family fun without having to worry about hotels and flights. Virginia Farm Bureau member Michael Litos recently visited the Virginia Safari Park and shared some of his thoughts.

The tagline for the Virginia Safari Park, located in Natural Bridge, is "Not your ordinary day trip." This is partly true, because it is not your ordinary zoo, either.

The safari park features a three-mile road that winds through 180 acres of wildlife preserve. Hundreds of animals from llama and bison to antelope and elk roam freely on the land, and people slowly drive cars along the road, where they are approached by the animals.

And by approached, that sometimes means blocking the path. Visitors can purchase buckets of food at the entry gate and are encouraged to roll down windows or remove convertible tops to feed the animals from the car. The animals delight in sticking their heads in the car for a snack and a quick pet.

"It was a wonderful experience for our daughter," Litos said. "To get to interact with the animals in such an open and intimate manner was a thrill for her, and to be honest, for her mother and me."

The park also offers 60-minute guided tours, and groups are welcome. It recently has expanded to include a petting area, giraffe-feeding station and free-flight aviary.

"We always look for spring break day-trips that will be fun but also informative, and this was a blast," Litos said. "I recommend it highly for the entire family. Plus, it was close to Natural Bridge so we were able to work in a trip to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World into our visit as well."

(It is only a four-mile drive from the safari park to Natural Bridge.)

For more information, call 540-291-3205 or visit www.virginiasafaripark.com.