Preventing ID Theft
IDENTITY THEFT: Identity theft occurs when somebody steals your name and other personal information for fraudulent purposes.
Twelve Ways to Minimize Your Risks:
Before you reveal, ask: How will it be used? Will it be shared? Can I choose to keep it confidential? Do I have to share it? Pay attention to billing cycles.
Guard mail from theft.
Put passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts.
Minimize what you carry.
Do not give out personal information unless you initiated the contact.
Keep items with personal information in a safe place.
Be cautious.
Carefully track who has access to your information at work and your doctor’s office.
Give your social security number only when absolutely necessary.
Don’t carry your social security card.
Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major agencies, once each year and check each report.
Your credit report contains information on where you work and live, your past addresses, credit accounts open in your name, how you pay your bills and whether you have been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy.
To Share or Not to Share:
Your information may be used to process your order or create a customer profile so the company may inform you about other products of possible interest, services, or promotions.
OR
They may share your information.
Who Shares and Buys Information:
Credit Bureaus. Pre-approved credit. You may opt out of pre-approved credit offers by calling 1-888-567-8688.
Marketing Lists. Only Experian allows you to opt out from marketing and promotional lists by calling 1-800-407-1088.
Department of Motor Vehicles. In Florida, you may opt out of marketing and promotional offers by completing a special form.
Direct Marketers. You may opt out through:
DMA Mail Preference Service
PO Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
If you suspect your personal information has been taken to commit a crime, take action immediately and keep a record of your conversation and correspondence.
Your first three steps are:
1. Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus:
Request that a “fraud alert” be placed in your file.
Order copies of your credit reports.
Equifax 1-800-685-1111
Experian 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
2. Contact the creditors of any accounts that have been tampered with or opened
fraudulently.
Speak with the security or fraud department.
Immediately close accounts that have been tampered with.
3. File a report with your local law enforcement agency or the law enforcement
agency in the community where the theft took place. Get a copy of the report.
Your Next Steps may include the following:
Contacting your employer.
Contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles. (DMV)
Contacting the various utilities in your area.
Placing stop payments on all checks.
Adding passwords to your existing and new accounts.
Contacting the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. 954-436-7200.
Contacting the SEC. 713-227-2400.
Contacting the U.S. Trustee regarding bankruptcies. 813-228-2000.
Contacting state and local law enforcement regarding the creation of criminal records under your name. FDLE 850-410-8412.
Contacting the Office of Statewide Prosecution, Computer Crime and Identity Theft Unit: 407-245-0893.
“Identity theft occurs when someone takes your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.”
Your Identity Can Be Stolen by Co-opting Your:
Name
Social Security Number
Credit Card Number
Driver’s License Number
Mother’s Maiden Name
Date of Birth
How Identity Thieves Work:
Steal wallets and purses.
Steal mail.
Complete a “change of address form.”
Rummage through trash.
Obtain your credit report.
Go through your personal records at work.
Find personal information in your home.
Use personal information you share on the Internet.
Buy your information.
How Your Information is Used:
Thieves change the mailing address on your account(s). Then they run up the charges. Because your bills are being sent to a new address, it may take some time to realize there is a problem.
They open a new credit card account using your information. They use the credit card and don’t pay the bills. The delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
Establish phone or wireless service.
Open a bank account(s).
Take out loans in your name.
File for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they have incurred under your name or to avoid eviction.
Write counterfeit checks and drain your bank account(s).
Identity Fraud and The Internet:
The growth of the Internet creates identity fraud risks. To avoid becoming a victim:
Only do business with companies you are familiar with.
Only conduct business when you have initiated it.
Only conduct business on a SECURE phone line.
Inquire how your information will be used.
Visit the Secure Florida website for additional Internet tips.
You still have rights: you DO NOT have to give out all the information asked for.
According to the Secret Service:
Financial crimes generally involve identity fraud.
94 percent of all financial crime arrests involved identity theft.