Identity Theft:

 

Ways to Protect Yourself!

 

Identity theft is the nation's fastest-growing crime, affecting an estimated 500,000 to 7,000,000 people each year. You don't even have to leave home to become a victim. Currently, criminals view this crime as a relatively low-risk, high-reward endeavor. You may have been a victim or know someone who has been a victim. A Division officer has even been a victim of identity theft! So no one is immune. It also takes a considerable amount of time, effort, and sometimes money to get your credit accounts and credit history straightened out once a identify thief has struck!

 

Transactions can take place over the phone or Internet making it difficult to verify the true identity of the individual.  While there is some use of this "high-tech" means to steal,

most law enforcement sources will tell you that most of the thefts are done in a low-tech, hands-on way. Most are committed by family, friends, coworkers and former spouses, and anyone who has access to personal information.  Strangers obtain this information from stolen purses, briefcases and mail left in unlocked cars or offices. They will sometimes steal mail from mailboxes. They look for pre-approved credit card mailings, card statements or tax returns. They also obtain this from "inside" sources such as store employees, cashiers and telemarketers. They will take this information, and pretending to be you, establish new accounts, ask about a lower rate, up your credit limit and then ask for a change of address. They will use information to open checking accounts and small loans. They then leave you will the bills and the negative credit report. In past cases they have even purchased large ticket items such as computers and even vehicles!

 

While you can't completely protect yourself here are some ways to be safer.

 

Minimize your risk by:

·        Cancel unused credit cards and cut them up

·        Don't carry your social security card with you

·        Always check your credit statements.  Report unauthorized purchases immediately.

·        Never give out your social security number over the phone

·        Shred statements when you are done with them

·        Always take your receipt!

·        Write "ASK FOR I.D." on the back of your credit card instead of signing it.

 

If you become a victim do these three things immediately:

1.      File a police report. Get a copy of the report.

2.      Close the accounts that have been used and contact security divisions of the card company.

3.      Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. A sample letter can be found at www.identitytheft.org   Report your identity has been stolen and ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and no new credit be granted without your permission.

 

Here are some links to help you:

 

Identity Theft .Org

 

These letters can be used to send to the three credit agencies to receive a free credit report.  It is important if you decide to request a credit report that you do it from all three agencies since each agency covers different geographic areas.

 

Trans-Union

Experian

Equifax