Information on Identity Theft

Identity Theft ranges from a simple theft of a credit card number to a comprehensive impersonation of an individual for various fraudulent purposes. Victims of Identity Theft often find the situation to have an emotional impact and the task of resolving and fully regaining their identity may be overwhelming.

The term "Identity Theft" is used to include both theft and fraud.  According to the US Department of Justice, theft is defined as the unauthorized use of your existing accounts or current information such as credit card or social security numbers. Identity fraud happens when someone opens new accounts in your name or creates a new identity using your information.

Click here for Types of Identity Theft  or Statistics.

15 steps to Help Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

1. Guard your social security (SS) number.  Just because you are asked doesn't mean you have to give it. Leave the space blank.  If required, ask to speak to a supervisor or go somewhere else. Don't carry your SS Card with you. Store it in a safe place at home.
2. Check you credit report. Annual Credit Report.com allows one free report each year from each reporting agency. Get one report from a different agency every four months to review more often.
3. Examine your credit card statements for any unknown charges - must address any discrepancies right away. After 30-60 days the company may not be se helpful.
4. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze depending on your credit needs.  No longer limited to just IDT Victims.
5. Use Safe Checks- those that contain fraud protection to help prevent "washing".
6. Guard your mail from theft: use a locked mailbox and don't use the red flag for mail pick-up - drop it off at a secure receptacle.
7. Opt out of receiving prescreened credit card offers by calling 1.888.567.8688 and ask to have your name and address excluded from their list for 5 years. If you have not opted out of telemarketing calls, call from the phone you are going to exclude and register on the do not call list at 1.888.382.1222 (may take up to 3 months).
8. Invest in a shredder, and shred anything with your name or any personal information before discarding.  
9. Know your billing cycles. Missing a bill or statement may mean someone has changed your address. Don't ignore any change of address form from the US Postal Service.  
10. Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or letters. Don't give personal information unless you initiated the call and know whom you are contacting.  
11. Keep your credit card with you when eating out or shopping.  You may also want to keep copies of the front and back of cards in a safe place at home in case a card is inadvertently not returned or lost. The contact and account information is then available to notify the company.
12. Protect your computer by updating your virus protection, using a firewall and assume any e-mail that asks for your personal information is fraudulent.
13. Put real passwords on your accounts - a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers with no less than 6 characters.  
14. Practice safe shopping online - use only secure sites that encrypt your order and payment information (the lock icon and https//).
15. Secure the home front - don't leave personal information out - store credit cards, billing statements, checkbooks, tax returns, etc. in a safe place and limit access.  

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