Showing posts with label identity theft. Show all posts
    Showing posts with label identity theft. Show all posts
  • Avoid Identity Theft - Deter, Detect, Defend

    DETER - DETECT - DEFEND
     against
     IDENTITY THEFT



    DETER: MINIMIZE YOUR RISK

    While nothing can guarantee that you won't become a victim of identity theft, you can minimize your risk by making it difficult for identity thieves to access your personal information.
    • Protect your social security number:
      •   Don't carry your SS card with you
      •   Don't write your SS number on checks
      •  Give your SS number only when necessary - use other types of identifiers whenever possible.
    • Treat your trash and mail carefully:         
      • Shred charge receipts, copies of credit applications,  insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements before discarding.
      • Consider opting out of prescreened offers of credit in the mail by calling 1-888-567-8688        (NOTE: You will be asked to provide your Social Security number).
      • Deposit outgoing mail containing personally identifying information in postal collection boxes or at your local post office, rather than in an unsecured mailbox.
      • Promptly remove mail from your mailbox.
      • If you are planning to be away from home contact the U. S. Postal Service at  1-800-275-8777 to place a vacation hold. 
    • Be on guard using the internet:
      •  For practical tips to help you be on guard against internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information, go to: http://onguardonline.gov           
    • Select intricate passwords:
      •   Place passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts.
      •   Don't use easily available information (i.e. mother's maiden name, birth date, last 4 of social security number).  Instead, for a strong password, use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
      •  Give your SS number only when necessary - use other types of identifiers whenever possible
    • Verify a source before sharing information:
      • Because identity thieves are clever and may pose as representatives of banks, internet service providers, etc., don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact.
    • Safeguard your purse and wallet:
      • Protect your purse and wallet at all times.  Don't carry your social security card, and carry only the identification cards, credit cards or debit cards that you will need when you go out.
    • Store information in a secure location in your home.
     For more information visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/index.html .

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  • Protecting Your Social Security Number

    Deter - Detect - Defend

    According to the Social Security Administration, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Once a dishonest person has your social security number they can use it to get personal information about you, apply for credit in your name, or cause you any number of other problems.

    Identify thieves often get your personal information by:
    • Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, tax information)
    • Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured website, from business or personnel records at work and personal information at home.
    • Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses and public trash receptacles
    • Posing as someone who needs information about you
    • Buying personal information from inside sources

    So, what is the best way to protect yourself?

    DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information. Keep your card, and any other document that shows your Social Security number on it, in a safe place. If you need to present your card for any reason be sure to return it to a safe place - don't get in the habit of routinely carrying it. Be cautious about sharing your Social Security number...ask why it is needed, how it will be used, and what will happen if you refuse.

    DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.

    DEFEND against ID theft as soon as you suspect a problem. If someone has misused your Social Security number or other personal information to create credit or other problems for you, there are several things you should do:
    • PLACE a fraud alert on your credit reports. Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the following three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report:
    TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com
    Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com
    Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com
    • CLOSE the accounts that you know have been opened fraudulently, or tampered with.
    • CONTACT the Internal Revenue Service Identity Protection Unit. An identity thief might use your Social Security number to file a tax return in order to receive a refund, or use it to get a job.
    • FILE an FTC ID Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can find detailed information here to help you deter, detect and defend against identity theft.
    • FILE a police report with your local police, or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. The FTC Complaint can be incorporated into the police record for maximum protection.
    • FILE an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) which offers an easy to use reporting mechanism to alert authorities of suspected violations.

    Filing a police report, checking your credit reports, notifying creditors, and disputing any unauthorized transactions are some of the steps you must take immediately to restore your good name. To learn more about these steps and more, visit the DEFEND: Recover from Identity Theft section. To file a complaint, click here.

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