Identity Theft

What is it, is identity theft really a problem, how can I protect myself, what do I do if my Identity is stolen.

What is Identity Theft

• A thief steals your Identity and impersonates you.

• A thief with a stolen identity can cost the victim hard times, financial and personal problems.

• It is very likely that a victim will not find out they are a victim until the damage has already been done.

I do not have anything, so I am safe from Identity theft!

• Wrong, Identity theft deals with identity not with financial status

• Any one can become a victim of Identity theft

• Thieves that steal identity use your information to benefit them.

• Identity theft encompasses a variety of ways to gather identities, and how to use them.

How can my Identity be Stolen

• Someone steals your purse• Someone digs in your trash• Someone takes your mail before you get home• Someone watches over your shoulder at the

ATM• Breaks in your home• Intercepts electronic transmission• Telephone or email scams

Identity theft statistics

Identity theft stats by Age

Identity theft stats

What to do if you become a victim

• Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus  to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.

• Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized accounts.

What to do if you become a victim cont.

• File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

• File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

How to protect yourself from becoming a victim

• Credit Report– Request a copy of your credit report every

year or so.– It tells you whether anyone has applied for

credit in your name.– may reveal accounts being used without your

knowledge, with the bill being sent to a different address.

How to protect yourself from becoming a victim cont.

Credit Cards– Sign new cards immediately. – Store them safely - They are money! – Only carry the cards you will use. – Don't write your PIN # on your card. – Shred documents that show your account number

before discarding. – Don't give your card number over the phone, unless

you initiated the call. – Remember to get your card and receipt after a

purchase, and double check they are yours. – Notify the credit card company immediately if your bill

is incorrect, or your card is lost or stolen. – Check your bill carefully, and notify the credit card

company if you don't receive it on time.

How to protect yourself from becoming a victim cont.

Mail– Don't write your credit card number or social

security number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.

– Collect your mail promptly. – Have your mail held if you'll be out of town or

on vacation. – Use collection boxes or the post office for

outgoing mail if your home mailbox is unattended.

– Opt-out of receiving pre-approved credit offers 

How to protect yourself from becoming a victim cont.

Internet– Never e-mail your credit card number or social

security number. – Check carefully that you are on the page you intend,

and not an impostor's page. – Use only secure web pages for online ordering. ( You

should see the padlock on the status bar of Microsoft Internet Explorer pages where a credit card number is requested.)

– Online credit applications which request a social security number should also be on secure web pages. (Look for the padlock.)

– Use anti-virus and personal firewall software, and keep it updated.

Identity Theft

Any Questions?