IDENTITY THEFT
"Fastest Growing Crime"
Every 19 minutes, another person becomes a victim-wow
The Federal Trade Commission believes that 9 million Americans have their identities stolen every year!
What is it?
Identity theft and identity fraud refers to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data(social security information, credit card, etc) without permission, in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for financial gain.
How do they do it?
- Dumpster Diving-Yes, by going through tyour rash looking for bills or other personalized paper with your personal info.
- Skimming-Stealing your credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
- Phishing-Be pretending to be financial institutions or companies(such as Ebay or PayPal) by sending emails that look "legit" or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
- Changing Your Address-Diverting your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
- And the ever popular, stealing- Stealing your purse or waller, mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records for their employers or bribe employees who have access
Now what?
So, what do thieves do with your identity they stole??
Credit card fraud:
Open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts appear on your credit report.
Change the billing address on your credit card so you no longer get the bills, and then run up charges on your account. Since your bills are being sent to a wrong different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem. Genious!
Phone or utilities fraud:
- Opening a phone account, or run up charges on your existing account.
- Obtain utility services like electricity, TV, etc.
Finance fraud:
- Create counterfeit checks using your name and/or account number.
- Open a bank account in your name and write bad checks.
- Clone your ATM or debit card then make electronic transfers in your name, wiping out your accounts.
- Take out a loan in your name.
Government documents fraud:
- Stealing driver's license or other card issued in your name but change your picture to theirs.
- Use your name to get governmental benefits.
- File a fraudulent tax return using your information.
Other types:
- Get a job using your Social Security number.
- Rent a house or get medical care using your name.
- I cant believe this one happens--they may end up giving personal information to police during an arrest. When they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.
Questions to Ponder:
- What do you do with your pre-approved credit card applications that come in the mail?
- Is your mail box locked?
- Where do you keep your social security card?
- Do you give out your social security number over the phone or on the computer?
- WHen is the last time you checked your credit card statements?
- WHen is the last time you got a credit report?
- What do you do with your trash(shred important documents or just toss it in the trash?)
- Do you have up-to-date anti-virus software on your computers?
- Do you have firewall protection on your computers? (If you have to ask what that is, you probably dont have it)
- Is the firewall a software program, and/or hardware?
- Would you leave your car doors or doors in your home, unlocked?
- Free Firewall available : Very large download)
- How secure is your password? Use a variety of numbers and letters.
- Do you change your password or is it the same one you've used for eons?
- Do you know what a "secure" site is?? (Look for "https" versus "http" in the address bar of your browser and make sure a little padlock is on the site as well)
- At work or in a public place, do you lock your computer when away from your desk?
- Have you received emails from Ebay, Banks, etc that appear totally legit, that ask for your updated information?? (could be PHISHING)
Informational sites on Identity Theft:
(FTC Government Site)
(Identity Theft Center)
(ID Theft Secrets Blog--great site)
(Identity Crime Complaint Center--colaboration between FBI and White Collar Crimes)
(Great information provided by the Florida Attorney Generals Office)