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Identity Theft
What It Is, How to Protect Yourself & What To Do If...
According to a recent document published by the U.S. General Accounting Office:
 | Thousands of people each year report that they are victims of identity theft |
| Many identity theft-related crimes go unreported |
| Victims have spent over 175 hours and over $10,000 per incident to resolve these problems |
The consequences can be staggering. Victims of identity fraud have:
| Discovered unauthorized debts and delinquent accounts, which can lead to calls from debt collectors |
| Lost their jobs |
| Faced criminal investigation, arrest or conviction |
Even more, victims may not even know their identity has been stolen until, after several months, a negative situation arises and they realize that there is a problem.
Identity theft involves stealing another's personal information, and using it fraudulently to establish credit, use existing credit cards, file fraudulent tax returns, access bank accounts, and commit many other crimes.
How are these crimes pulled off? Criminals devise new methods all the time - from searching in the trash to locate pre-approved credit card applications... to pilfering phone calling cards... to "shoulder surfing" for PIN numbers at ATMs. A new crime, known as "skimming", involves a cashier receiving your credit card for a purchase, then quickly skimming it through a portable device that picks up the information on the card for unauthorized use later.
Fortunately, new laws in some states make identity theft a felony that can be prosecuted in federal court.
How To Minimize Your Risk of Identity Theft
How do you protect yourself? Since criminals are slick and clever, it's difficult to stay on top of every scenario. But there are several things you can do to minimize your risk.
| Carry with you only the ID and cards you need at any given time |
| Sign all new credit cards immediately with permanent ink |
| Do not make Internet purchases from sites that are unsecured (check for a padlock icon on the site to ensure its safety) |
| Avoid writing a PIN number, Social Security number or passcode on any of your credit cards or on anything you are planning to discard |
| Try to memorize your password(s) instead of recording them on paper or computer |
| While making a purchase in person, keep your eye on the cashier - never look away while your card is being processed |
| If you have applied for a new credit card and it does not arrive within a reasonable time, contact the issuer |
| Be sure someone you trust collects your mail in your absence; if you are leaving town for a week or more, ask the post office to hold your mail until your return |
| Secure your Social Security card in a safe place at home; do not carry it in your wallet |
| Don't give out personal or account information to anyone without verifying their identity; never give personal information to telephone or door-to-door solicitors |
| Create passwords or codes that are not obvious; avoid using your birth date, your mother's maiden name or your pet's name |
| Destroy all carbons |
| Never leave your receipts behind after making a purchase |
| Be aware of "shoulder surfers!" Shield your numbers when using an ATM |
| Avoid providing your social security number or other personal information to prospective employers until you have verified the legitimacy of the organization and their need to verify your background |
| Check your credit file periodically for accuracy by contacting one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) By law you are entitle to (1) free copy each year. |
What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen
Act fast to minimize the consequences. Notify all three credit reporting agencies and ask that your file be flagged with a fraud alert.
Stolen Credit Card
| Contact your local police or sheriff's offices to report the theft |
| Notify creditors immediately, and request that your accounts be closed |
| Ask the card company to furnish copies of documents that show any fraudulent transactions |
| Refuse to pay any bill or portion of any bill that is a result of identity theft |
| Report the theft or fraud to Equifax and the other credit reporting agencies |
Stolen Check
| Report the crime to your local police or sheriff's department |
| Notify your financial institution to stop payment on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of and give them any missing check numbers. |
| Cancel all your accounts, both checking and savings, and set up new ones with new account numbers |
| Give your bank a password for your account |
| Report the problem to the check verification company used by the store where a fraudulent check has been written |
| Refuse to cover any checks that were written or cashed fraudulently. (If you pay, you compromise your opportunity to prosecute.) |
| Report the theft or fraud to Equifax and the other credit reporting agencies |
Stolen ATM Card
| Report the crime IMMEDIATELY to your bank and to the local police or sheriff's department |
| Get a new card and change your password |
| Avoid using pets' names, your mother's maiden name, birth dates, Social Security numbers or other obvious information for your new password |
Social Security Number
| Contact the Social Security Administration immediately at www.ssa.gov or call (800) 772-1213 |
| Order your Earnings & Benefits Statement from the Social Security Administration to verify its contents |
Driver's License Number
| Notify the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles and place a fraud alert on your license |
| Request a new Driver's License number |
| Avoid using your Social Security Number as your Driver's License number |
Stolen Address Information or Fraudulent Change of Your Address
| Call the U.S. Post Office at (800) 275-8777 for your local Postal Inspector's phone number |
| Notify the Postal Inspector that the mail has been used to commit fraud |
| If you know where fraudulent credit cards or other material has been sent, ask that all mail sent to the fraudulent address be forwarded to your own address. |
Phone Service
| Notify your long distance carrier about any calls that you or members of your household did not make. (Most phone companies have fraud hotlines for this purpose.) |
| Cancel your account and open a new one, using a secure password |
Passports
| Contact the passport office immediately. |
Contact Information to Report Fraud
| Government Agencies | |
| Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | 877-438-4338 |
| U. S. Postal Inspection Service | 800-275-8777 |
| Social Security Administration | 800-772-1213 |
| To Report Check Fraud | |
| Check Rite | 800-766-2748 |
| Chex Systems | 800-328-5121 |
| NPC | 800-526-5380 |
| Tele-Check | 800-366-2425 |
| Credit Reporting Agencies' Fraud Departments | |
| Equifax Consumer Fraud Division | 888-766-0008 |
| Experian's National Consumer Assistance | 888-397-3742 |
| TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Dept. | 800-680-7289 |
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