|
Identity
theft is the fastest growing crime in our country today.
Last year alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of
identity theft, a crime that cost them roughly $5 billion dollars.
This crime has a financially and emotionally devastating impact
on its victims.
The identity thief can inflict substantial damage on the victim's
assets, credit and reputation without the victim even being aware of it.
What
is Identity Theft?
Identity
theft occurs when a person knowingly and unlawfully obtains and uses the identification of another person to commit a fraud, theft or
deception, typically for economic gain.
By wrongfully acquiring another's personal data, such as, name,
address, social security number, mother's maiden name, bank account and
credit card numbers, imposters use this information
in a variety of ways: To name but a few:
-
They call your credit
card issuer and, pretending to be you, ask to change the mailing address
on your credit card account.
The
criminal then runs up charges on your account.
Because your bills are being sent to the new address, it may take
some time before you realize there's a problem.
-
The criminal may open a new credit
card account, using your name, date of birth and Social Security
Number.
When they use the credit card and do not pay the bills, the
delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
-
The
criminal establishes phone or wireless service in your name.
-
The
criminal may open a bank account in your name and write fraudulent checks on that account.
-
The criminal may file for
bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they have incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.
-
The criminal may use counterfeit
checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
-
The
criminal may
buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.
-
The
criminal may give your name to
the police during an arrest.
If
they are released from police custody, but do not show up for their court
date, an arrest warrant is issued in your name.
How
Identity Thieves Get Your Personal Information:
-
They steal
wallets containing your identification and credit and bank cards.
-
They
steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements,
pre-approved credit offers, new checks, and tax information.
-
They
file a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another
location.
-
They find personal
information in your home or in your trash.
-
They
listen in on your conversation if you give your credit-card number over
the telephone when ordering.
-
They
get your information from the personnel files in the workplace.
-
They
steal files out of offices where you are a customer, patient or student.
-
They
"hack" into electronic files.
Minimize Your
Risks
DO
shred all credit cards, bank and other financial statements before
discarding them.
DO
review all bank, credit card, and phone records for accuracy.
DO
use secure websites for Internet purchases.
DO
be wary of anyone calling to "confirm" personal
information.
DO
order a copy of your credit report from each of the three
credit bureaus every year.
DO
remove your Social Security number from checks, driver's licenses or
other identification.
DO
deposit mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes.
DO
sign your new credit cards - before someone else does.
Maximize
Your Safety
DON'T
provide credit card information over the telephone.
DON'T
discuss financial matters on wireless or cellular phones.
DON'T
carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
DON'T
leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
DON'T
put your credit card or any other financial account number on the
outside of an envelope.
DON'T
lend your credit cards to anyone else.
DON'T
leave receipts behind at ATM machines, bank counters or gasoline
pumps.
DON'T
return credit card-type hotel room keys to the front desk when you
check out.
They
may contain personal information such as your name, address & credit
card number which can be assessed through a scanning device.
If
You're a Victim, Take Immediate Action
-
Contact
your local police department and file a report. Sending a copy of your police report to financial institutions can speed up the process of absolving you of wrongful debts
or removing
inaccurate information from your credit reports.
-
Contact
the fraud department at each creditor, bank or utility/service that
provided the identity thief with unauthorized credit, goods or services.
Contact them by both phone and in writing.
-
Report
identity theft to one of the major credit bureaus. You can report the incident to any of three agencies listed
at the top of this page as they now share a common database.
Follow up with a written request for a "Fraud Alert"
notification to be placed in your credit file.
Include a copy of one of your utility bills and a copy of your
driver's license for this purpose.
-
Contact
the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline toll free at
1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
Counselors will take your complaint and help you resolve financial and other problems that can result from this crime.
-
File
an ID Theft Affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission.
This form can be used to report information to many
organizations, thus simplifying the process of disputing charges with
companies where a new account was opened in your name.
For a copy of the affidavit visit the ID Theft website at
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
or
call 1-877-IDTHEFT.
Contact
the Social Security Administration if you suspect that your Social
Security Number is being fraudulently used.
Call the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271 or visit
www.ssa.gov.
Contact
your local office of the Postal Inspection Service if you suspect that
someone has used your mail to commit frauds involving your identity or
visit
www.usps.com/postalinspectors.
[Home] |
It’s
A Crime!
Important
Links:
Equifax:
800-525-6285
www.equifax.com
Experian:
888-397-3742
www.experian.com
Trans
Union:
800-680-7289
www.transunion.com
|
