Have You Lost Your Identity?

By Sierra Bowland

Deter

Detect

Defend

Deter

• Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information– Shred financial documents with personal info before

disposing– Protect social security number– Don’t give out personal information over the:

• Phone • Email• Internet

– Never click on links sent in unsolicited– Keep information in secure place

Detect

• Defect suspicious activity by monitoring financial accounts and billing statements

• Be alert to signs that require attention– Bills do not arrive as expected– Unexpected credit cards or account

statements– Denials of credit for no apparent reason– Calls or letters about purchases you did not

make

Detect (cont.)

• Inspect– Credit report

• Contain information about you

– Your financial statements• Review regularly looking for charges you did not

make

Defend

• Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it– Place “fraud alert” on credit card reports,

review reports carefully– Close accounts– File police report– Report the theft to the FTC

Topics

• Real

• Virtual

Real

• What does the identity thief want?

• Where does the thief find your information?

• How does the identity thief use it against you?

• How do you defend yourself?

What Does the Identity Thief Want?

• To become you– Your social security card– Drivers license– Account numbers, PIN(s), and passwords

Where Does the Thief Find Your Information?

• Wallet or purse

• Mailbox

• Glove compartment

• Trash

• You

How Does the Identity Thief Use It Against You?

• Use credit card to on buying spree• Open new credit card accounts using your

information• Change mail address on existing credit card

account• Buy cars and take out auto loans in your name• Establish telephone service in your name• Counterfeit checks or debit cards and drain your

bank account

How Does the Identity Thief Use It Against You? (cont.)

• Open bank account in your name and write bad checks on it

• File for bankruptcy under your name

• Apply for job under your name

• Give your name to police during arrest

How Do You Defend Yourself?

• Purse/Wallet– Don’t carry social security card in purse or wallet

• Credit/debit cards– Don’t carry more cards than you need– If not using one or more credit cards, cancel in writing– Don’t write PIN on back of credit card– Cut into small strips before disposing– Write “check photo id” on back of credit card– Three major credit reporting agencies

• Equifax• Experian• TransUnion

How Do You Defend Yourself? (cont.)

• Your mailbox– Take outgoing mail to post office– Pick up morning mail as soon as possible

• Glove Department– Remove personal identifying documents

• Trash– Shred anything with personal information

How Do You Defend Yourself? (cont.)

• When ordering checks from the bank, arrange to pick up at the bank instead of sent to your home

• You– Don’t give out personal info

• Over phone• Mail• internet

Virtual

• What does the virtual thief want?

• Where does the virtual thief find your information?

• How do you defend yourself?

What Does the Virtual Thief Want?

• Capture your information

• Create new identity based on information

• Use identity to his/her purposes

• Leave you holding bag

Where Does the Virtual Thief Find Your Information?

• New technologies create major gaps in your personal information security

• Stored information– Bank account information– Electronic tax returns– Family genelogy– PDA data– Insurance information– Spreadsheets– Word processing documents

How Do You Defend Yourself?

• Use unique passwords• Use passwords• Change passwords regularly• Don’t set system to “remember my password”• Remember passwords; don’t write them down• Purchase anti-virus software• Keep operating system software updated• Install a firewall

How Do You Defend Yourself? (cont.)

• Take precautions with wireless networks

• Be cautious with file sharing

• Beware of phishing

• Be wary when using Public Internet Kiosks or other peoples computers

• Don’t give personal information over internet

• Identity theft can be very dangerous

• Use these tips to stay safe

Learn More

• ID Theft: What It’s All About

• Deter, Detect, Defend Brochure

Work Cited

• www.ftc.gov/idtheft