Identity theft is all around us. A moment of carelessness on your part translates into an opportunity to steal your identifying information on the part of the identity thief.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft happens when a culprit steals key pieces of personal identifying information, which may include a name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and mother's
maiden name, to gain access to a person's financial accounts. With this information, an identity thief may open new financial or credit accounts, buy cars, rent an apartment, apply for loans or Social Security benefits, or set up utility and phone service - in someone else's name.
Tips you must do to protect your identity:
- Put outgoing mail in the blue U.S. Postal Service collection box, or give it directly to your letter carrier.
- Shred unwanted documents that contain personal information before throwing them away.
- Check your consumer credit reports annually.
- Never give personal information over the phone or the Internet unless you initiated the contact.
Tips to prevent ID theft:
- Report stolen or lost credit cards to the issuer right away.
- Sign your new credit cards - before someone else does.
- Memorize your Social Security number and passwords; do not use your date of birth as your password. Do not carry them with you.
- Never leave receipts behind - at ATMs, on counters at financial institutions, or at gasoline pumps.
- Note expiration dates on credit cards and contact the issuer if you do not get a replacement before they expire. Do the same for monthly financial statements and bills.
- Match credit card receipts against monthly bills and check financial statements for accuracy.
If you suspect you are a victim of ID theft, do the following:
- If the crime involved the U.S. Mail, contact the nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service office and make a report.
- If the crime involved counterfeit credit cards or computer hacking, contact the U.S. Secret Service.
- Check to see if major credit reporting agencies have accounts in your name that were opened without your consent. Have them place a "fraud alert" on your file.
- You may be asked to close some or all of your accounts. Change your PIN and passwords immediately.
- Record of the names and phone numbers of people with whom you discussed your case, and make a report of supporting documents.
- Report ID theft online with the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or call its Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT. The FTC has counselors to help you resolve financial and other problems that can result from this crime.
Safeguarding your personal identifying information is a proactive process. Always be alert regarding your own personal information so that thieves find it harder to make you their next target.
