| What is Identity Theft? It is the theft of your | | | | Give your Social Security number only |
| personal information, such as social security | | | | when absolutely necessary, and ask to use other |
| number, driver's license number, credit card and | | | | types of identifiers. If your state uses your Social |
| bank account numbers, mother's maiden name, | | | | Security number as your driver's license number, |
| and more, with the intent to obtain credit and | | | | ask to substitute another number. Do the same if |
| credit cards from banks and retailers, steal | | | | your health insurance company uses your Social |
| money from the victim's existing accounts, apply | | | | Security number as your policy number. |
| for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, | | | | At Work; |
| rent an apartment, file bankruptcy or obtain a job | | | | Ask about information security |
| using the victim's name. | | | | procedures in your workplace or at businesses, |
| Did you know that in some states Identity Theft | | | | doctor's offices or other institutions that collect |
| is not even against the law? The victim has to | | | | your personally identifying information. Find out |
| prove their innocence. This shocks most Identity | | | | who has access to your personal information and |
| Theft Victims, as it should. It shocks me. Law | | | | verify that it is handled securely. Ask about the |
| Enforcement and Credit Card Services should be | | | | disposal procedures for those records as well. Find |
| there to help, but in many cases they don't. | | | | out if your information will be shared with anyone |
| Being prepared, just in case someone steals your | | | | else. If so, ask how your information can be kept |
| identity is a must. It may be inconvenient, but | | | | confidential. Keep your purse or wallet in a safe |
| unless you want to go out and try to use your | | | | place at work; do the same with copies of |
| credit card one day, just to find that someone | | | | administrative forms that have your sensitive |
| else has been using your identity to make | | | | personal information. |
| purchases and your card is no longer accepted, | | | | Online; |
| then you need to take steps to prevent your | | | | If you do financial transactions over the |
| identity from being stolen. It can take years to | | | | Internet, read their privacy and or security |
| clear this up if it happens to you, so a little | | | | statements. You want to know who they share |
| prevention now is the answer. | | | | your personal information with. You want to know |
| Facts about Identity Theft; | | | | they use a "secure server" for transactions. You |
| It is considered by law enforcement to | | | | want to know how they store your personal |
| be an absolute epidemic, the fastest growing | | | | information. If you don't like what you hear, don't |
| crime in the United States at this time. | | | | do your business at that website. There are |
| For the criminal, identity theft is a | | | | always alternatives. |
| relatively low-risk, high-reward endeavor. Credit | | | | Use PayPal. You can transfer a limited |
| card issuers often don't prosecute thieves who | | | | number of funds into your paypal account and |
| are apprehended. Why? The firms figure it's not | | | | use it to buy merchandise online instead of your |
| cost efficient. They can afford to write off a | | | | credit card. |
| certain amount of fraud as a cost of doing | | | | Don't give out personal information on |
| business. | | | | the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet |
| Recently criminals have been using the | | | | unless you've initiated the contact or are sure you |
| victim's identity to commit crimes ranging form | | | | know who you're dealing with. |
| traffic infractions to felonies. How would you like | | | | Before you share any personal |
| to find out you are wanted for a crime you know | | | | information, confirm that you are dealing with a |
| nothing about? It has happened. | | | | legitimate organization. Check an organization's |
| All that is needed is your social security | | | | website by typing its URL in the address line, |
| number, your birth date and other identifying | | | | rather than cutting and pasting it. Be cautious |
| information such as your address and phone | | | | when responding to promotions. Identity thieves |
| number and whatever else they can find out | | | | may create phony promotional offers to get you |
| about you. With this information, and a false | | | | to give them your personal information. |
| driver's license with their own picture, they can | | | | Going Out; |
| begin the crime. | | | | Carry only the identification information |
| If you wait until it happens to you, it's a | | | | and the credit and debit cards that you'll actually |
| nightmare. You won't know until you are denied | | | | need when you go out. Don't carry your social |
| credit or a creditor contacts you about a charge | | | | security card with you unless you expect to need |
| you know nothing about. | | | | it. |
| How do I prevent Identity Theft? | | | | Should I buy identity theft insurance? |
| At Home; | | | | Some companies offer insurance or similar |
| If you have roommates, employ | | | | products that claim to give you protection against |
| outside help, or are having work done in your | | | | the costs associated with resolving an identity |
| home, make sure your personal information is not | | | | theft case. Be aware that most creditors will only |
| readily available to them. | | | | deal with you to resolve problems, so the |
| Deposit your outgoing mail in post | | | | insurance company in most cases will not be able |
| office collection boxes or at your local post office, | | | | to reduce that burden. As with any product or |
| rather than in an unsecured mailbox. Promptly | | | | service, make sure you understand what you're |
| remove mail from your mailbox. If you're planning | | | | getting before you buy. If you decide to buy an |
| to be away from home and can't pick up your | | | | identity theft insurance product, check out the |
| mail, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 | | | | company with your local Better Business Bureau, |
| to request a vacation hold. The Postal Service will | | | | consumer protection agency and state Attorney |
| hold your mail at your local post office until you | | | | General to see if they have any complaints on file. |
| can pick it up or are home to receive it. | | | | Conclusion: Be smart. If someone is asking for |
| Tear or shred your charge receipts, | | | | your personal information, anyone, including |
| copies of credit applications, insurance forms, | | | | friends, acquaintances, companies, stores, |
| physician statements, checks and bank | | | | websites, or anyone else, ask questions. Find out |
| statements, expired charge cards that you're | | | | why they need this information, what they are |
| discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail. | | | | going to do with it, how long do they keep it |
| To opt out of receiving offers of credit in the | | | | stored, who they share it with, and how can you |
| mail, call: 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). | | | | be sure it is going to be kept secure. |