Protect Your ID
Internet fraud and identity theft are sad facts of life, and the damage is enormous. The following links provide information on both of these crimes.Internet Fraud
- Check out companies with whom you want to purchase goods from to make sure they are legitimate. Contact the Better Business Bureau.
- Get a credit card with low credit limit and use it exclusively for making Internet purchases.
- Check to make sure the credit card company has a 30 day dispute policy. Check credit card statement every month for unauthorized charges.
- Dispute unauthorized charges with the credit card company immediately.
- Don't wait until the 30 day period has expired to dispute the charge with the credit card company.
- If you dispute a charge with the credit card company, notify the credit bureaus as well.
- Don't pay for items with cash, cashier's check, or money order.
- If using a payment service such as PayPal, make sure your method of payment is your credit card.
- Don't pay through automatic withdrawal from your checking account.
- Check out the payment service or escrow service before using them to make your payment.
- Don't make purchases of items that cost a lot. Set a low limit on your credit card, like $500, and don't exceed it.
- Purchase items that cost a lot, in person, from a retailer, not over the Internet.
- Check out offers you receive via email. A lot of them are scams.
- SPAM email (unsolicited email) is often a scam.
- Shut down your computer when you're not using it.
- Don't open suspicious email. It could be a virus.
- Block undesirable e-mail.
Internet Fraud Hotline: 977-382-4357 (toll free)
Internet Fraud Complaint Center: http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
Identity Theft
| What is Identity Theft? | |
| How Does Identity Theft Happen? | |
| Protect Your Identity | |
| Prevent Account Fraud | |
| If You Are a Victim | |
| Three Major Credit Bureaus | |
| Additional Resources |
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name or personal information, such as your Social Security number, driver's license number, credit card number, telephone number or other account numbers, without your permission.
Identify thieves use this information to open credit accounts, bank accounts, telephone service accounts, and make major purchases - all in your name.
Information can be used to take over your existing accounts, or to open new accounts. Identify theft can result in damage to your credit rating and denials of credit and offers.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?Identify theft commonly begins with the loss of theft of a wallet or purse. But there are many other ways that criminals can get and use your personal information in order to commit identify theft. Here are some examples:
Example #1
One evening, you sit down to pay your monthly bills. You write the checks, toss the statements in the trash and put the container out on the curb for the morning's trash pick up.
While you sleep, "dumpster divers" go through your trash looking for the papers you've thrown away. They discover a gold mine of information that can be used for fraudulent purposes - your name, address, phone number, utility service account numbers, credit card numbers, and your Social Security number.
Example #2You receive an e-mail message from what appears to be your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The message requests that you update the information they have on file about you - your name, credit card numbers, bank account number, etc. - by replying to the e-mail or going to a specific Web site address to provide the information. However, neither the message nor the Web site address is from your ISP. They belong to someone who wants to get your information to steal your identify.
Protect Your Identity
While there is no guarantee that your identity will never be stolen, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk:
- Do not give your Social Security number to people or companies that you do not know.
- Do not give our financial information on the phone unless you've initiated the call or know the party you are dealing with.
- Before disclosing any personal information, make sure you know why it is required and how it will be used.
- Shred information you no longer need that contains personally identifiable information and account numbers. For example, credit card receipts, billing statements, old bank statements, invoices and pre-approved credit offers should be shredded before you discard them.
- Guard your mail from theft. Promptly remove your incoming mail from your mailbox and place outgoing mail in post office collection boxes. Install a locking mailbox if mail theft is a problem in your neighborhood.
- If regular bills or statements stop reaching you, take action and call the company's customer service number. Someone may have filed a false change-of-address notice to divert your mail.
- If doubtful or unauthorized charges appear on your bills or statements, call immediately to resolve the discrepancy.
- Keep personal numbers off our checks. Never preprint your driver's license or Social Security number on your checks.
- Keep the personal information you have at home and at work in a safe place.
- Do not carry extra credit cards, your birth certificate or passport, or other cards that display your Social Security number in your wallet or purse, except when necessary.
- Create unique passwords and personal identification numbers (PIN's) and avoid using easily available information such as your mother’s maiden name, date of birth, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Use password on your banking and brokerage accounts.
- Get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies at least once a year. Review the reports to be sure no one else is using your identity to open new accounts to use your existing accounts.
Prevent Account Fraud
- Protect your checking account number. Never give it to a stranger.
- Report lost or stolen checks immediately, and review new check orders to make sure none were stolen in transit.
- Store new and cancelled checks securely and always use tamper-resistant checks.
- Question suspicious phone inquiries. Notify your bank immediately if you receive odd calls claiming to come from your bank; be especially wary of those requesting account information to "award a prize" or "verify a statement".
- Guard your ATM information. Avoid using obvious or easily attainable information as your password.
If You Are a Victim
- Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus
Request that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and include a statement that credits must get your permission before any new accounts are opened in your name.
Get a copy of your credit report from each credit bureau so that you can dispute any inaccurate information.
Check your reports every six months.
Three Major Credit Bureaus: EQUIFAX Order Credit Report 800-685-1111 Report Fraud 800-525-6285 www.equifax.com EXPERIAN Order Credit Report: 888-397-3742 Report Fraud: 888-397-3742 www.experian.com TRANS UNION Order Credit Report: 800-888-4213 Report Fraud: 800-680-7289 www.tuc.com
- Contact all the creditors involved.
Let them know that your accounts may have been used without your permission, or that new accounts have been opened in your new name. If your accounts have been used fraudulently, ask that new accounts and account numbers be issued to you. Check your billing statements carefully and report any fraudulent activity immediately. Many banks and creditors will accept the "ID Theft Affidavit" available at: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.html, to dispute the fraudulent charges.
- File a Police Report
Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of a crime.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission
The FTC provides useful information to identify theft victims and maintains a database of identify theft cases for use by law enforcement agencies. File a report with the FTC:
by telephone:
FTC's Identity Theft Hotline: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)by mail:
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC 20580or online:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.htmlAlso request a copy of the publication, ID Theft, When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name.
- Keep a record of your contacts.
Start a file with copies of your credit reports, the police report, any correspondence, and copies of disputed bills. It is also useful to keep a log of your conversations with creditors, law enforcement officials, and other relevant parties. Follow up all phone calls in writing and send all correspondence certified, return receipt requested.
Non-Profit Organizations:
Federal Government AgenciesPrivacy Rights Clearinghouse
3100 5th Avenue, Suite B
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-298-3396
Email: prc@privacyrights.org
www.privacyrights.org
Identity Theft Resource Center
P.O. Box 268333
San Diego, CA 91196
Email: voices123@att.bet
www.idtheftcenter.org
State and Local Government AgenciesFederal Bureau of Investigation
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htmFBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center
www.ifccfbi.govFederal Trade Commission
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC 20580
1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.htmlSocial Security Administration
SSA Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235
1-800-269-0271
Email: oig.hotline@ssa.govU.S. Postal Inspection Services
www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
ID Theft Hotline: (801) 281-1209
Secret Service Bureau: (801) 524-5910
or call your local Law Enforcement