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Protecting Against Identity Theft

Facts

  • 10 million American consumers were victims in 2002.
  • 48% discovered the theft within a month.
  • 15 % did not discover it within two years.
  • Average loss is over $10,000.
  • Takes a victim 18 months to recover credit

The theft of personal data such as your social security number to commit fraud can be divided into several categories.

The Quick Hit

  • Identification taken when a thief steals a wallet or purse.
  • Credits cards maxed out within hours.
  • 70% of identity theft victims reported their credit cards misused.

The Scam

  • Victims are tricked into revealing personal information.
  • Scams include phone calls, emails, letters.
  • Suspects pretend to be looking to verify current accounts.
  • Information used to open new accounts.

Phishing

  • Fraudulent e-mail received.
  • Usually appears to be from a bank, PayPal, eBay, a credit card company, or merchant.
  • Visible link appears legitimate. If you are suspicious, mouse-over the link to see if the actual URL is visible in the browser status bar at the bottom.
  • Asks you to fill out statement with your personal information.

Skimming

  • Running a credit card thru a duplicator.
  • Appears to be a credit purchase.
  • Used to copy personal identification.

Shoulder Surfing

  • Looking over the shoulder.
  • Copies the number of the credit card.
  • Listening for personal information.
  • Use of recorders or photo phones.

Alter Identity

  • Personal information used to obtain a job, obtain a drivers' license, government benefits, or elude police.
  • 15% of victims experienced this type of identity theft.

Reduce Your Risk

  • Review bank and credit statements monthly.
  • Destroy/shred documents.
  • Order annual copies of credit reports.
  • Carry only those cards you need.
  • Don't print drivers license or SS# on checks.
  • Call and ask about late bank statements or bills.
  • Only give out personal information when you initiate the contact.
  • Don't send information via e-mail.
  • Go to the post office not mail box.
  • Keep PIN numbers separate.
  • Keep all account and toll free numbers handy.

Online Safety

  • Before supplying personal information, check the "lock" or https in the URL web address.
  • Read security and privacy policies.
  • Use 128 bit encryption technology on Web browser.
  • Protect passwords.
  • Use virus software daily

Locking Them Out

Contact each of the three national credit-reporting agencies to request a "security freeze" on your credit report:

Other Helpful Tips

  • When you order checks, imprint them with only your first initial and last name. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
  • Despite what your credit card says, do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
  • When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, do not enter the complete account number on the "memo" line. Instead, just enter the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the
    check-processing channels will not have access to it.
  • Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address.
  • Never print your social security number of drivers license number on your checks. You can add the driver's license number manually when you write a check, if required.
  • Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a secure place.
  • Carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad.
  • When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys, do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information.

One victim, an attorney, eported that within a week of his wallet being stolen, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive, monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer and received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online.

Limiting Damage

If your wallet is lost or stolen:

  • Cancel your credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. An easy way to retain this information is to photocopy the backs and fronts of all of your credit cards. File these copies in a secure location.
  • File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
  • Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.