Identity Theft occurs when someone wrongfully uses your personal identification to obtain credit, loans, services, even rentals and mortgages in your name. These crimes may occur from a distance via the phone or Internet, or the criminal may impersonate you to commit a variety of crimes.
I have listed several steps below that we help reduce the chance that fraud could occur against you. It is important to remember these protective measures will not guarantee that a criminal will not get access to your personal information. As you know, there are many ways to steal private information about you, as it is used in many different ways in everyday life. For example, all of these offices have your information: your doctor, accountant, lawyer, loan officer, health insurance, schools, courts, etc. While there are strict laws protecting confidential information that these organizations must adhere to, it does not completely prevent wrongdoing by an individual person. Remember, you don't have to lose your wallet or have it stolen to become a victim of identity theft.
STEPS TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT AND FRAUD:
1. Buy a crosscut type shredder (you can purchase cross-cut type shredder very cost effectively for approximately $60 - $70.) Shred all your important papers and especially pre-approved credit applications received in your name and other financial information that provides access to your private information. Don't forget to shred your credit card receipts.
2. Be careful of "Dumpster Diving." Make sure that you do not throw anything away that someone could use to become you. Anything with your identifiers must be shredded (cross-cut) before throwing away.
3. Be careful at ATM's and using Phone Cards. "Shoulder Surfers" can get your "Pin Number" and get access to your accounts.
4. If you do not have a Post Office Box, get all of your checks delivered to your credit union or bank - not to your home address. Keep close account of your blank checks, both in your checkbook or stored at home. It is very common for thieves to steal just one or two checks so they won’t be missed.
5. Do not put checks in the mail from your home mailbox. Drop them off at a U.S. Mailbox or the U.S. Post Office. Mail theft is common. It's easy to change the name of the recipient on the check with an acid wash. This is a common form of fraud.
6. When you order new credit cards in the mail, or your previous ones have expired, watch the calendar to make sure that you get the card within the appropriate time. If it is not received by a certain date, call the credit card grantor immediately and find out if the card was sent. Find out if a change of address was filed if you don't receive the card or a billing statement.
7. Open credit is a prime target. Use only one credit card and cancel the rest (make sure you make your cancellation request in writing). This also makes it much easier to cancel your account quickly in the event fraud occurs.
8. Put passwords on all your accounts and do not use your mother's maiden name. Make up a fictitious word.
9. Get a post office box or a locked mailbox, if you possibly can.
10. Ask all financial institutions, doctors' offices, etc., what they do with your private information and make sure that they shred it and protect your information. Tell them why.
11. Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc. Do not carry any identifiers you do not need. Don't carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport, unless necessary.
12. Memorize social security numbers and passwords. Do
not write down PIN#s, even in a hidden form - thieves figure that trick out
easily.
13. When a person calls you at home or at work, and you do not know this person, never give out any of your personal information. If they tell you they are a credit grantor of yours call them back at the number that you know is the true number, and ask for that party to discuss personal information. Provide only information that you believe is absolutely necessary.
14. Do not put your social security number on your checks or your credit receipts. If a business requests your social security number, give them an alternate number and tell them why. They do not need that to identify you. If a government agency requests your social security number, there must be a privacy notice accompanying the request.
15. Do not put your telephone number on your checks.
16. Get credit cards and business cards with your picture on them.
17. Do not put your credit card account number on the Internet (unless it is encrypted on a secured site.) Don't put account numbers on the outside of envelopes, or on your checks.
18. When you are asked to identify yourself at schools, employers, or any other kind of institutional identification, ask to have an alternative to your social security number. Unfortunately, your health insurance carrier often uses your social security number as your identification number. Try to change that if you can.
19. In conjunction with a credit card sale do not put your address, telephone number, or driver's license number on the statement.
20. Monitor all your statements from every credit card and checking
account every month. Check to see if there is anything that you do not recognize and
call the credit grantor or financial institution to verify that it is truly
yours. This is all the more reason
to use one card and cancel the rest. I
also believe that having a credit card and checking account from a local
provider is an added value. If you
do have a problem, or you are concerned there might be a problem, you can deal
with someone you know and trust to help you.
21. Order your credit report at least twice a year (I have enclosed the addresses for you on the sample letter.) Review it carefully. If you see anything that appears fraudulent, immediately put a fraud alert on your reports by calling the numbers below.
22. Immediately correct all mistakes on your credit reports in writing. Send those letters Return Receipt Requested, and identify the problems item by item with a copy of the credit report back to the credit-reporting agency. By law, they need to verify the accuracy of the disputed information or delete it from your credit report.
23. Take your name off all promotional lists. Call the three credit reporting agency numbers to opt out of pre-approved offers.
Experian: (800) 353-0809
Equifax: (888) 567-8688
TransUnion: (800) 680-7293
Write to the following to get off promotional lists:
|
Direct Marketing
Association |
Direct Marketing
Association |
24. Make a list of all your credit card, Credit Union and bank
account numbers (or photocopy) with customer service phone numbers, and keep it
in a safe place.
(Do not keep it on the hard drive of your computer if you are connected to the
Internet.)
25. If you ever have a question about your Credit Union account,
call us immediately. Time is of the
essence for nearly all fraud crimes. Thieves
act immediately before institutions have been alerted.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR IDENTITY IS STOLEN
1. Contact the three major credit bureaus (see information above). Ask for a fraud alert to be placed on your credit report. Include a statement that asks creditors to call you for permission before opening any new credit accounts.
2. Immediately contact all creditors, notify them of the potential fraud and verify that all activity on those accounts is accurate. I strongly recommend closing any open end (credit card) accounts and getting entirely new accounts issued to you.
3. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (877) 438-4338. They monitor how and where fraud is occurring and try to prevent it.
4. Contact the police, fill out a police report and complete an Affidavit of Forgery or Fraud, if necessary.
5. Change all your passwords and PIN#s.
6. Replace your Social Security and Medicaid cards, as well as get a new driver’s license.