Identity Theft

How it happens and how to avoid it

The Facts

• Roughly 15 million people are victims of identity theft every year in the U.S. (1 of every 20 people)

• Identity theft costs Americans a total of over $25 billion every year

• Victims may spend an average of 175 to 200 hours repairing the damage of an identity theft incident.

What Can an Identity Thief Do With Your Identity?

• Commit a crime under your name• Apply for a driver’s license (with your name) • Open credit card accounts under your name• Obtain cash through your financial accounts. • Purchase large and expensive items with your

name• Get a job under your name• Rent an apartment under your name• Get a phone or other utility under your name• Create counterfeit checks with your name on them• Receive medical treatment under your name– Video #2

Possible Signs of Identity Theft

• Purchases on your credit card that you didn’t make

• Money missing from you bank account– Video #3

• Credit score is inexplicably low• Important mail stops coming to you– Credit card bills

How Can You Keep This From Happening?

The DO’s and DON’Ts of protecting your identity

DON’T

• Give out your social security number to people you don’t trust

DO

• Shred any unwanted mail or documents with your personal information

DON’T

• Give out personal information over the phone– Unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure you know who

you are talking to

DO

• Shop at secure online stores– https://

DON’T

• Use the same password for all of your online accounts

DO

• Shred or cut up unused or expired credit cards

What to do if your identity has been stolen…

• File a police report• Notify your bank and credit card companies• Call the credit reporting agencies– Experian– TransUnion– Equifax

Other Ways to be Protected

• ID Protection services– Lifelock.com

Quick Review1. True or False: It is always safe to give out

personal info over the phone2. True or False: ID thieves can’t cause you

much harm3. True or False: It is safe to use the same

password for all of your online accounts4. True or False: You should throw away unused

or expired credit cards5. True or False: You should only buy things

online if the web site is secured