Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft? Identity theft occurs when someone appropriates personal information - your name, Social Security number (SSN), or credit card number, for example - without your prior knowledge to commit fraud or theft. Identity thieves rob more than 500,000 Americans every year and the numbers are rising. The BBB suggest the following steps to help you reduce your risk of identity theft.

  • Check monthly credit card bills carefully for any unauthorized charges. If your monthly bill does not get delivered at the usual time, immediately contact your credit card company. Before paying, examine the charges on your credit-card statements and dispute those you believe are incorrect. Cancel unused credit-card accounts.
  • Remove your name from the marketing lists of the three credit-reporting bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. This reduces the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive.
  • Keep paperwork with personal information in a safe place not readily visible to others. Shred all old bank and credit statements, as well as "junk mail" credit-card offers, before trashing them. Use a crosscut shredder; while more expensive, crosscut shredders shred paper both vertically and horizontally for greater security.
  • Do not mail bill payments and checks from your home mailbox. They can be stolen from your mailbox and washed clean in chemicals. Take them to the post office.
  • Guard your Social Security number; do not carry your card with you. If someone requests your social security number, ask why he or she needs it. It is the key to your credit report and banking accounts and is the prime target of criminals. Do not print your Social Security number on your checks.
  • Do not carry extra credit cards or other important identity documents except when needed.
  • Never give your credit-card number or personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and trust that business.
  • Request a copy of your credit report at least once per year; more often if you suspect your identity has been invaded or stolen. Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Make sure it is accurate and includes only those activities you've authorized.
  • When shopping or visiting websites, look for a company's Security & Privacy information. Read it carefully to determine how and where the company shares personal data before you make a purchase or provide contact information.
  • Add your name to the name-deletion lists of the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service and Telephone Preference Service used by banks and other marketers. This will cut down on catalogs and other mailings in your name.
  • Try not to let your credit card out of sight at restaurants, stores, entertainment venues, etc. "Skim Artists" obtain employment in legitimate businesses such as restaurants. Data is skimmed from a consumers' credit card and then sold to forgers who make new cards using the customer's identity.
  • Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of your license and credit cards so you have all the account numbers, expiration dates and phone numbers if your wallet or purse is stolen.

If you become a victim of ID Theft, it is extremely important you act immediately to stop the thief's further use of your identity. These steps include:

  1. Reporting the crime to the police.
  2. Calling your bank and credit card issuers.
  3. Filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  4. Contacting the fraud unit of the three credit reporting companies. Request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file as well as a victim's statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.
  5. Not panicking; you've done all you can.

The Federal Trade Commission has prepared an excellent summary of the various types of problems you might encounter, with suggestions on how to tackle each one. You can go to that summary (Recovering from Identity Theft) by visiting their web site at:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/index.html

For further information contact:

Better Business Bureau
(800) 828-5000
www.bbb.org

Federal Trade Commission
(877) 438-4338
www.ftc.gov/idtheft

Trans Union
800-916-8800
www.tuc.com

Experian
(888) 397-3742
www.experian.com

Equifax
(800) 685-1111
www.equifax.com

Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
www.dmaconsumers.org

Telephone Preference Service
PO Box 1559
Carmel, NY 10512
www.dmaconsumers.org

This report is general in nature and is not intended as a reliability report on any company, service or product.