Identity Theft – Dos and Don’ts
Thieves will also search through your trash, looking for discarded receipts, credit applications, bank statements and more, including credit offers. Shredding these documents can prevent someone from finding them, and you can also choose not to receive pre-screened offers (1-888-5-OPT-OUT). Many identities are also stolen through use of the Internet, with “phishing scams” and other methods used to extract personal information.
The easiest way to keep your personal information out of someone’s hands is to not provide it. Internet websites don’t need your social security number or credit card information unless you are making a secure purchase. Additional ways to keep your information private include creating hard-to-break passwords that use a combination of letters and numbers for accounts such as your credit card statement, bank accounts and more. Also, keeping your information in one safe place at home is a good idea, and it should be protected if anyone aside from you or your family has access to the files, such as a roommate or employee.
More drastic measures of protecting identity include “freezing” your credit, which restricts access to your credit report. Essentially, it makes it impossible for an identity thief to use your information or open up any type of account. Laws and prices vary from state to state, so it is necessary to do some research before freezing your credit. When a consumer decides that they want to open a new account, he or she can temporarily lift the freeze so that the information can be accessed.
Smart consumers can also take the proactive measure of getting a copy of the credit report on a regular basis. The three major credit companies are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and they will provide you with a free copy of your credit report. Tracking these documents regularly can stop problems before they start.
Resources
www.OnGuardOnline.gov
www.ftc.gov
The age of information has had a few mixed blessings, including the fact that everyone’s personal information, from a Social Security number to your birthday or address, is relatively accessible to someone who wants it unless several precautions are taken. Once thieves have obtained private information, there are several types of fraud that can be committed: credit card fraud, phone or utilities fraud, bank/finance fraud, or government documents fraud.
Prevention
The keys to preventing someone from stealing your identity are taking certain precautions and protecting your information, especially your Social Security number. The Federal Trade Commission advises that you never carry your Social Security card with you or have your number anywhere on your person or in your wallet or purse. Additionally, it is advised that you only give your Social when it is absolutely necessary, and asking why and how your number will be used is a good way to determine whether it is truly needed.Thieves will also search through your trash, looking for discarded receipts, credit applications, bank statements and more, including credit offers. Shredding these documents can prevent someone from finding them, and you can also choose not to receive pre-screened offers (1-888-5-OPT-OUT). Many identities are also stolen through use of the Internet, with “phishing scams” and other methods used to extract personal information.
The easiest way to keep your personal information out of someone’s hands is to not provide it. Internet websites don’t need your social security number or credit card information unless you are making a secure purchase. Additional ways to keep your information private include creating hard-to-break passwords that use a combination of letters and numbers for accounts such as your credit card statement, bank accounts and more. Also, keeping your information in one safe place at home is a good idea, and it should be protected if anyone aside from you or your family has access to the files, such as a roommate or employee.
More drastic measures of protecting identity include “freezing” your credit, which restricts access to your credit report. Essentially, it makes it impossible for an identity thief to use your information or open up any type of account. Laws and prices vary from state to state, so it is necessary to do some research before freezing your credit. When a consumer decides that they want to open a new account, he or she can temporarily lift the freeze so that the information can be accessed.
Smart consumers can also take the proactive measure of getting a copy of the credit report on a regular basis. The three major credit companies are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and they will provide you with a free copy of your credit report. Tracking these documents regularly can stop problems before they start.
Detecting Identity Theft
There are several signs that can tip you off to identity theft. Be aware of what you are receiving in the mail, and look for the following signs:- Accounts you didn’t open and/or charges on your accounts you can’t explain
- Incorrect information on credit reports
- Failing to receive bills or other mail. Thieves will change the mailing address to cover their tracks
- Receiving credit cards you didn’t apply for
- A higher interest rate or the denial of credit and you don’t know of a reason
- Calls/letters from collection agencies or businesses in regard to purchases/services you didn’t buy
Repairing Identity Theft
If you find you have been the unfortunate victim of identity theft, there are four steps you should take immediately to correct the wrongdoing. The banks and creditors with which you have accounts can also advise you on their specific policies for dealing with fraud and identity theft.- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review your credit reports.
- Close the accounts that you know or believe to have been tampered with or opened. For charges and debits on existing accounts, use the fraud dispute forms to dispute the charges.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
- File a report with your local police or the police in the area where the theft took place.
Resources
www.OnGuardOnline.gov
www.ftc.gov