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Identity theft is the fastest growing criminal activity in the 20th Century, replacing illegal drug sales.
How BIG is this Problem?
Banks, credit card companies and businesses that house servers storing passwords or other sensitive information all report breakinsthrough Trojan viruses or other online hacking methods resulting in the loss of millions of pieces of information. Instances of lost information are employees selling it and other lax security measures resulting in thieves having access to your identity.
Thieves Want
Your Name
Date of Birth
Home Address
Phone Numbers
Social Security Number
Drivers License Number
Credit Card Numbers
CW2 Security Code (the number on the back of your credit card)
Your Credit Report
ATM Cards
Telephone Calling Cards
Mortgage Details
Where Are They Getting Your Information?
Banks
CreditReference Agencies
Retailers
Credit Card Networks
DataBrokerage Companies
Payment Processing Companies
Phone Companies
Schools
Your Employer
Doctors, Clinics and Health Departments
Government Agencies
There are other effective methods
Dumpster Diving
Mail Theft
Retail Theft
Phishingpretextingpretending
PurseWallet Theft
What are Thieves Using Your Information For?
Making charges to your existing credit cards
Opening new credit cards in your name
Having phone or utilities turned on
Withdrawing money from your existing bank accounts
Employment purposes
Drivers Licenses
Tax Fraud
Social Service benefits
Student loans
Business or Personal loans
Health care
Mortgage loansleases
Auto loans
Using your ID when caught committing a crime
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Keep a photocopy of your credit cards, bank account numbers and investment account numbers in a safe
place
Keep your credit card receipts
Put a fraud alert on all your credit reports
If you apply for credit and the card doesnt arrive on time, call the card issuer
Choose difficult PIN numbers or passwords. (Dont use birth dates, your mothers maiden name, etc.)
Never give personal information to anyone who sends you an email, a letter or calls you asking for it
Shred personal information
Dont use the ATM machine if someone is watching you
Pay attention to whats going on around you cell phones often have cameras in them. If someone is standing by you with a cell phone while you’re entering a PIN number, block their view
Review your bills each month. If theres something you dont remember, call the creditor.
Check your credit report at least once a year
Store your cancelled checks safely.
Dont leave your purse in plain sight when driving
Keep your valuables locked in the trunk or glove box when driving
Make all personal information on your computer password protected
Dont carry information about your PIN numbers, passwords and account numbers in your purse or wallet
Warning Signs that Your Identity Has Been Stolen
A loan application is denied, or youre refused extended credit requests
You are contacted by a debtcollection agency
Your purse or wallet has been stolen, or your house broken into
Unfamiliar activity on your credit report
What to do if it Happens to You
If your purse or wallet is stolen, call the police
Contact your bank, credit card and other credit extending companies and report the theft
Close accounts
Contact the creditreporting companies
Have fraudulent activity removed immediately and monitor your credit report every 90 days for the next year
Put everything in writing
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission
Change passwords on your existing accounts and create new ones for new accounts
Identity theft is real. There are no guarantees you can keep your information safe, by taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can minimize your chances of having an identity crisis.