Identity Theft Guide

Identify Theft Resources:
Don’t be an online victim of Identity Theft! Click HERE to view a short video on protecting your identity when searching the web or making purchases online.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
http://www.identity-theft-help.us/
http://www.identitytheft.org/
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/phishingalrt.htm

To protect yourself from becoming a victim:

• Don't carry a checkbook. Pay by cash or credit card.
• Don't carry your Social Security card with you or use your Social Security number as your driver's license number.
• Buy a paper shredder. Shred any documents listing your Social Security number and other financial information such as your bank account numbers and credit card numbers.
• This is the number one way of preventing identity theft.

If someone is using your identity and cashing your checks or credit cards, you should:
Report the situation immediately to your bank or credit card company. You may not have monetary liability because forgery and/or fraud is involved, but you will want the companies to be aware of the problem, as this is something that could affect your credit. In addition, follow these instructions to fully protect yourself:

a) Contact all three credit bureaus and issue a fraud alert. Check your credit report six months later and look for items you don't recognize.
b) Provide a copy of your driver's license to each agency's fraud unit in order to register an affidavit.
c) Contact the proper authorities in writing, via certified receipt request.
d) Inform your local police department, Social Security Administration and all creditors with whom you have accounts.

Major Credit Bureaus:
Review your credit report on an annual basis. Click HERE for important and useful information.

Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experian: 888-397-3742
Trans Union: 800-680-7289
SSA Fraud Hotline: 800-269-0271

If a thief steals your identity and begins racking up debt:
A) Contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting agencies. Request that your account be flagged and add a victim's statement saying, "MY ID has been used to fraudulently apply for credit. Call me at this number to verify all applications." Find out how long the fraud alert will be posted and how to extend it if you need to. Check your credit report and look for items you don't recognize.

B) Contact your credit card companies and financial institutions to report the fraud. Get new cards, have old accounts closed with a memo stating, "account closed at customer's request." Follow up in writing.

C) Call the police and get the crime on record, then get a copy of the police report. Keep a log of all conversations including date, name, phone number, and the information provided.

D) Notify the Federal Trade Commission, which keeps a database of identity thefts. Phone: (888) FTC-HELP; Address: FTC, CRC-40, Washington D.C. 20580.

E) Notify you bank and if necessary, cancel checking and savings accounts and get new account numbers. Request a password that may be used in every transaction. Get a new ATM card, account number and password. Don't use your SS # or birthdate as a password.

F) Don't pay any bill or part of a bill resulting from identity theft.


"Vishing" emerges as newest identity theft risk......

As customers receive more education about identity theft risks, thieves develop more ways to trick people anew.

The newest identity theft risk is called "vishing," a variation of phishing in which customers are sent bogus emails, but instead of being asked to click on a link and type in their account or identifying information, they are directed to a bogus automated phone number and asked to provide their credit card or personal information over the phone. As customers are directed to enter their account number or identifying information with the phone keypad, the bogus phone recognized the keystrokes and collects the information. There also are reports of a type of vishing scam in which initial contact is made by phone, not email. In those instances, customers are tricked into providing the three- or four-digit security code on their credit card.

Vishing scams are on the rise due to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows thieves to obtain cheap phone numbers anonymously, and trick caller ID boxes into displaying false or erroneous information.

Although only a few cases have been reported, this practice is expected to grow. Banks should encourage their customers to call the number on the back of their credit cards when they have a question or problem. If customers receive a phone call from someone asking them to verify account or personal information over the phone, they should hang up and call the number on the back of their credit card, or call their financial institution, and verify that there is a legitimate issue.

....but education and assistance keep pace

The latest identity theft news may sound grim, but as scams evolve so does the education to keep consumers one step ahead of the con artists. The Federal Trade Commission has developed a new education program "Avoid Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend", to help consumers avoid becoming identity theft victims. Visit the program's website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. ICBA also provides links to various identity theft resources at www.icba.org. Go to Advocacy in the navigation menu to the left, then click on Identity Theft.