IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft is the
fastest-growing crime in American, affecting half a million new victims each
year. Identity theft or identity fraud is the taking of a victim's identity to
obtain credit, credit cards from banks and retailers, steal money from a
victim's existing accounts, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility
companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy, or obtain a job using the
victim's name. Thousand of dollars can be stolen without the victims knowing
about it for months or even years.
The imposter obtains your
social security number, your birth date, and other identifying information such
as your address and phone number. With this information and a fake driver's
license, they can apply in person for instant credit or through the mail posing
as you. They often claim they have moved and provide their own address. Once
the first account is opened, they can continue to add to their credibility.
They get the information
from your doctor, lawyer, school, health insurance carrier, and many other
places. "Dumpster divers" pick up information you may have thrown
away, such as utility bills, credit card slips, and other documents.
TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO
YOU
►Do
not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the
internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you're dealing with.
Identity thieves will pose as bank representatives, Internet service providers,
and even government officials to get you to reveal identifying information.
►Shred
all documents, including pre-approved credit application received in you name,
insurance forms, bank checks and statements you are discarding, and other
financial information.
►Do
not use your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of you
social security number or a similar series of numbers as a password for
anything.
►Minimize
the identification information and the number of cards you carry. Take what
you'll actually need. Don't carry your social security card, birth certificate,
or passport, unless necessary.
►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 explain why. If a government agency requests your social security number,
there must be a privacy notice accompanying the request.
►Do
not put your telephone number on checks.
►Be careful using ATMs and phone cards. Someone may look over
your shoulder and get your PIN numbers, thereby gaining access to your
accounts.
►Make
a list of all your credit card account numbers and bank account numbers with
customer service phone numbers and keep it in a safe place.
►When
you order new credit cards in the mail or pervious ones have expired, watch the
calendar to make sure you get the card within the appropriate time. If the card
is not received within that time, call the credit card grantor immediately to
find out if the card has been sent. If you don't receive the card, check to
make sure a change of address was not filed.
►Do
not put your credit card number on the internet unless it is encrypted on a
secure site.
►Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with
creditors if bills don't arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean
an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your
billing address.
►Cancel
all credit cards that you have not used in the last six months. Open credit is
a prime target.
►Order your credit report a least twice a year.
►Correct
all mistakes on your credit report in writing. Send the letters return receipt
requested. Identify the problems item by item and send with a copy of the
credit report back to the credit reporting agency. You should hear from the
agency within 30 days.
If
you think that you're a victim of identity theft, gather all your information
that was compromised and contact your financial institution and your local law
enforcement.
Brooke County Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Richard D Ferguson
Created by: T Jarrell