10/09/2012
Identity Theft-Are you at risk?
Do you have a Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter, or other social networking account? Do you use an online dating service, online banking, or have you posted your resume online, received pre-approved credit card apps in the mail? Or do you mail utility payments or other payments from your home mailbox? Do you use your credit or debit card at restaurants, gas stations, online, or other businesses?
If you answered “Yes” to even ONE of these questions…
YOU ARE AT RISK!!!
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America today. With the downward spiraling of the economy, it is becoming even more prevalent.
What is the value of your stolen identity? About $120.
Identity theft is a crime that occurs when someone, without your knowledge, acquires your personal information and uses it for fraudulent purposes.
Credit card fraud is the most common type of identity theft.
The thief opens a new account in your name or poses as you and contacts an existing creditor and changes the mailing address to where the statements are sent. Since the statements aren’t coming to you, you are unaware there is a problem. The bills do not get paid and your credit is ruined.
Another category of identity theft is where the thief will sign up for cell phone, utilities, or internet service using your name. Again, the bills aren’t paid, which goes against your credit.
Another category involves bank accounts. The thief may open a bank account in your name and make electronic fund transfers or write bad checks on the account. Loan fraud involves using someone else’s personal information to obtain a loan.
Here are some suggestions to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
First & foremost,
PURCHASE A REPUTABLE ANTI-VIRUS, ANTI-SPYWARE, AND FIREWALL program and keep it updated on a regular basis.
Sadly, online job applications are an easy target for someone looking to steal a few identities. All they have to do is post a job for a non-existent company and PRESTO-dozens of names, addresses, birthdates, and even some social security numbers are emailed to them.
To avoid this happening to you, simply check the web to make sure the company is a legitimate company prior to posting a resume to them.
Also, be selective what information you give on an online resume. The company doesn’t need to have your full details prior to meeting with you. All you need to include is your name, email address, and possibly the city you live in.
Also, do not give references at this time either, as that puts your references at risk as well.
Under no circumstances should you post your social security number on your online resume.
Many people are tired of the normal social gatherings to find love. Therefore, they have resorted to online dating sites to find love. Problem is the love you find may not be looking to steal your heart. They may be looking to steal your identity instead. Keep personal info to a minimum on social networking sites.
Get to know someone before giving explicit personal details such as your home address or phone numbers.
When using debit or credit cards, be watchful of wandering eyes or “shoulder surfers”. Also be observant of what is going on around you. Camera phones can take photos of your credit card numbers without really being noticed.
Be cautious of “dumpster divers” as well.
Buy a cross cut shredder to shred all important papers, especially pre-approved credit card applications and other financial information that provides access to personal info. Don’t forget to shred credit card receipts as well.
Cancel all credit cards that you haven’t used for the past 6 months. Open credit is a prime target for identity theft.
Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers and get fewer solicitations by calling 888-567-8688 or online at www.optoutprescreen.com.
You can also freeze your credit report. Placing a security freeze on your credit report makes your personal info useless to a thief. When a lender or creditor tries to access your report, they won’t be able to view it. Therefore, they won’t issue credit in your name. You can always temporarily lift the freeze if you need to apply for credit.
Safeguard your children’s identity as well as your own.
Check your credit report at least once a year.
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act amends the FCRA. It ensures that
Consumers may receive a free copy of their credit report once annually.
Consumers may receive additional free reports if identity theft is suspected.
Identity theft victims who file police reports may block fraudulent information from appearing on their credit reports.
Identity theft victims have access to business records that list an identity thief’s fraudulent transactions.
Credit reporting agencies must ensure that all credit requests are legitimate after a credit report has been flagged for suspected identity theft.
Active duty military personnel may place special alerts on their files when they are deployed overseas.
Only the last five credit card number digits may be listed on store receipts.
When setting up passwords for your computer accounts, be creative. The password should be at least 9 digits long and should contain at least one special character and or number. Do not use your name or name of a loved one or pet.
Here is a list of the most common passwords which are easy to figure out which makes you vulnerable to hackers and puts your personal info at risk.
123456, 12345, 123456789, password, iloveyou, princess, rockyou, abc123, phpbb, qwerty, jesus, letmein
One man’s blog would start hacking your computer by trying these passwords:
Your name or those close to you, perhaps followed by a number, the last four digits of your social security number, 1234 or a longer version of the same, password, your team’s name, (Go Browns), your birthday or that of someone dear to you, God, money, love.
Studies show that one in four of us use passwords only six characters long. This is not a challenge to a hacker. Take a little extra time to be creative. Use an entire sentence. Instead of a’s, use the @, instead of o’s, use 0. It doesn’t take much to be creative.
No matter how diligent we are in keeping our identities safe, we can still become victims of identity theft.
Most insurance companies offer coverage in case your identity is ever stolen. The coverage helps defray some of the costs of getting your credit back on track.
Ask your agent today!
Helpful Resources
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P. O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
877-322-8228 www.annualcreditreport.com
Experian
P. O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013-2104
To order your report or report fraud 888-397-3742
www.experian.com
TransUnion
P. O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
To order your report 800-888-4213
To report fraud 800-880-7289
www.transunion.com
Equifax
P. O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
To order your report 800-685-1111
To report fraud 888-766-0008
www.equifax.com
U. S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC oversees the operation of credit bureaus and provides assistance for identity theft victims
FTC Consumer Response Center
877-ID-THEFT
www.ftc.gov
FTC Identity Theft Affidavit Instructions & Form www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
National Do Not Call Registry
www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx
U. S. Postal Service
For mail fraud issues, call the U. S. Post Office to obtain phone numbers of the nearest Postal Inspector.
877-876-2455 http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov
U. S. Social Security Administration
Report fraud 800-269-0271
To order your free Personal Earnings & Benefit Estimate Statement: 800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov
To report checking account fraud
If you are unable to open a checking account because of identity theft, contact
Chexsystems
7805 Hudson Rd, Ste 100, Woodbury, MN 55125
800-428-9623 www.consumerdebit.com
If you are unable to write checks because of bad checks written in your name, contact
CrossCheck 707-586-0551
Certegy 800-437-5120
SCAN 800-262-7771
TeleCheck 800-710-9898
Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion, (collectively the "Consumer Credit Reporting Companies”), encourage you to make an informed decision about receiving firm (preapproved / prescreened) offers of credit or insurance. There are several benefits of receiving firm offers.
