| What is Identity Theft? It is the theft of | | | | |
| your personal information, such as social | | | | - Give your Social Security number only when |
| security number, driver's license number, | | | | absolutely necessary, and ask to use other |
| credit card and bank account numbers, | | | | types of identifiers. If your state uses your |
| mother's maiden name, and more, with the | | | | Social Security number as your driver's |
| intent to obtain credit and credit cards from | | | | license number, ask to substitute another |
| banks and retailers, steal money from the | | | | number. Do the same if your health insurance |
| victim's existing accounts, apply for loans, | | | | company uses your Social Security number as |
| establish accounts with utility companies, | | | | your policy number. |
| rent an apartment, file bankruptcy or obtain | | | | |
| a job using the victim's name. | | | | At Work; |
| | | | |
| Did you know that in some states Identity | | | | - Ask about information security procedures |
| Theft is not even against the law? The victim | | | | in your workplace or at businesses, doctor's |
| has to prove their innocence. This shocks | | | | offices or other institutions that collect |
| most Identity Theft Victims, as it should. It | | | | your personally identifying information. Find |
| shocks me. Law Enforcement and Credit Card | | | | out who has access to your personal |
| Services should be there to help, but in many | | | | information and verify that it is handled |
| cases they don't. | | | | securely. Ask about the disposal procedures |
| | | | for those records as well. Find out if your |
| Being prepared, just in case someone steals | | | | information will be shared with anyone else. |
| your identity is a must. It may be | | | | If so, ask how your information can be kept |
| inconvenient, but unless you want to go out | | | | confidential. Keep your purse or wallet in a |
| and try to use your credit card one day, just | | | | safe place at work; do the same with copies |
| to find that someone else has been using your | | | | of administrative forms that have your |
| identity to make purchases and your card is | | | | sensitive personal information. |
| no longer accepted, then you need to take | | | | |
| steps to prevent your identity from being | | | | Online; |
| stolen. It can take years to clear this up if | | | | |
| it happens to you, so a little prevention now | | | | - If you do financial transactions over the |
| is the answer. | | | | Internet, read their privacy and or security |
| | | | statements. You want to know who they share |
| Facts about Identity Theft; | | | | your personal information with. You want to |
| | | | know they use a "secure server" for |
| - It is considered by law enforcement to be | | | | transactions. You want to know how they store |
| an absolute epidemic, the fastest growing | | | | your personal information. If you don't like |
| crime in the United States at this time. | | | | what you hear, don't do your business at that |
| | | | website. There are always alternatives. |
| - For the criminal, identity theft is a | | | | |
| relatively low-risk, high-reward endeavor. | | | | - Use PayPal. You can transfer a limited |
| Credit card issuers often don't prosecute | | | | number of funds into your paypal account and |
| thieves who are apprehended. Why? The firms | | | | use it to buy merchandise online instead of |
| figure it's not cost efficient. They can | | | | your credit card. |
| afford to write off a certain amount of fraud | | | | |
| as a cost of doing business. | | | | - Don't give out personal information on the |
| | | | phone, through the mail, or on the Internet |
| - Recently criminals have been using the | | | | unless you've initiated the contact or are |
| victim's identity to commit crimes ranging | | | | sure you know who you're dealing with. |
| form traffic infractions to felonies. How | | | | |
| would you like to find out you are wanted for | | | | - Before you share any personal information, |
| a crime you know nothing about? It has | | | | confirm that you are dealing with a |
| happened. | | | | legitimate organization. Check an |
| | | | organization's website by typing its URL in |
| - All that is needed is your social security | | | | the address line, rather than cutting and |
| number, your birth date and other identifying | | | | pasting it. Be cautious when responding to |
| information such as your address and phone | | | | promotions. Identity thieves may create phony |
| number and whatever else they can find out | | | | promotional offers to get you to give them |
| about you. With this information, and a false | | | | your personal information. |
| driver's license with their own picture, they | | | | |
| can begin the crime. | | | | Going Out; |
| | | | |
| - If you wait until it happens to you, it's a | | | | - Carry only the identification information |
| nightmare. You won't know until you are | | | | and the credit and debit cards that you'll |
| denied credit or a creditor contacts you | | | | actually need when you go out. Don't carry |
| about a charge you know nothing about. | | | | your social security card with you unless you |
| | | | expect to need it. |
| How do I prevent Identity Theft? | | | | |
| | | | Should I buy identity theft insurance? |
| At Home; | | | | |
| | | | Some companies offer insurance or similar |
| - If you have roommates, employ outside help, | | | | products that claim to give you protection |
| or are having work done in your home, make | | | | against the costs associated with resolving |
| sure your personal information is not readily | | | | an identity theft case. Be aware that most |
| available to them. | | | | creditors will only deal with you to resolve |
| | | | problems, so the insurance company in most |
| - Deposit your outgoing mail in post office | | | | cases will not be able to reduce that burden. |
| collection boxes or at your local post | | | | As with any product or service, make sure you |
| office, rather than in an unsecured mailbox. | | | | understand what you're getting before you |
| Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If | | | | buy. If you decide to buy an identity theft |
| you're planning to be away from home and | | | | insurance product, check out the company with |
| can't pick up your mail, call the U.S. Postal | | | | your local Better Business Bureau, consumer |
| Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a | | | | protection agency and state Attorney General |
| vacation hold. The Postal Service will hold | | | | to see if they have any complaints on file. |
| your mail at your local post office until you | | | | |
| can pick it up or are home to receive it. | | | | Conclusion: Be smart. If someone is asking |
| | | | for your personal information, anyone, |
| - Tear or shred your charge receipts, copies | | | | including friends, acquaintances, companies, |
| of credit applications, insurance forms, | | | | stores, websites, or anyone else, ask |
| physician statements, checks and bank | | | | questions. Find out why they need this |
| statements, expired charge cards that you're | | | | information, what they are going to do with |
| discarding, and credit offers you get in the | | | | it, how long do they keep it stored, who they |
| mail. To opt out of receiving offers of | | | | share it with, and how can you be sure it is |
| credit in the mail, call: 1-888-5-OPTOUT | | | | going to be kept secure. |
| (1-888-567-8688). | | | | |