Identity theft has become the fastest growing criminal activity in the new century,
replacing illegal drug sales. For the perpetrators, it offers the highest profit margin
with the least risk. In fact, according to one expert, it is estimated that fewer than 1
-in -700 -identity crimes actually result in a conviction.
In the United States alone, Identity theft has reached $53 billion
dollars a year. Consumers are directly shouldering about $5 billion of that, but the rest,
which is paid by businesses and retailers, is passed on indirectly to consumers who are
paying more for goods and services.
How BIG
Is This Problem?
In recent months, there has been a rash of reports about big thefts, where criminals are
stealing identities in mass quantities. Banks, credit card companies and businesses that
house servers storing passwords or other sensitive, private information have all reported
“break -ins” that happened through the use of Trojan viruses and other online
hacking methods – resulting in the loss of millions of pieces of information being
stolen. There have also been instances of the information just getting “lost”,
of employees selling it and other lax security measures resulting in the same thing –
thieves having access to your identity.
What
Do Thieves Want?
- Your Name
- Date of Birth
- Home Address
- Phone Numbers
- Social Security Number
- Driver’s 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 All Your Information?
High-tech methods include online thefts from:
- Banks
- Credit -Reference Agencies
- Retailers
- Credit Card Networks
- Data -Brokerage Companies
- Payment Processing Companies
- Phone Companies
- Schools
- Your Employer
- Doctors, Clinics and Health Departments
- Government Agencies
But there are still low-tech methods that are effective as well:
- 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
- Driver’s Licenses
- Tax Fraud
- Social Service benefits
- Student loans
- Business or Personal loans
- Health care
- Mortgage loans/leases
- Auto loans
- Using your ID when caught committing a crime
How Can You Protect Yourself?
- Keep a photocopy of all your credit cards, bank account numbers and
investment account numbers in a safe
place
- Keep your credit card receipts – don’t throw them away in a
public place
- Put a “fraud alert” on all your credit reports
- If you apply for credit and the card doesn’t arrive on time,
call the card issuer
- Choose difficult to guess PIN numbers or passwords. (Don’t use
birth dates, your mother’s maiden name, pet’s name, etc.)
- Never give personal information to anyone who sends you an email, a
letter or calls you asking for it
- Shred any personal information – such as bills, credit card or
bank statements, even pre -approved credit applications before throwing them away
- Don’t use the ATM machine if someone is watching you
- Pay attention to what’s going on around you – cell phones
often have cameras in them. If someone is standing close by you with a cell phone while
you're entering a PIN number at the ATM or in line at the grocery store, block their view
- Review your bills each month for unusual or suspicious charges. If
there’s something you don’t remember or doesn’t seem right, call the
creditor right away
- Check your credit report at least once a year
- Store your cancelled checks safely, or better yet, have the bank do
it. You can always get a copy if you need
one.
- Don’t leave your purse in plain sight when driving
- Keep your valuable locked in the trunk or glove box when driving
- Make all personal information on your laptop or computer password
protected
- Don’t carry information about your PIN numbers, passwords and
account numbers in your purse or wallet; or at least don’t make them easily
identifiable as to which account they belong to
Warning Signs that Your Identity Has Been Stolen:
- Although you have good credit, a loan application is denied, or
you’re refused extended credit requests
- You are suddenly contacted by a debt-collection agency
- Your purse or wallet has been stolen, or your house broken into
- There is unfamiliar activity on your credit report
What to Do If It Happens to You:
- If your purse or wallet is stolen, call the police immediately, and
file a report. Make sure that you’re given a report number
- Contact your bank, credit card and other credit extending companies
and report the theft
- Close the accounts
- Contact the credit-reporting companies in your area, and report the
theft.
- Review your credit report every 90 days for the next year for
suspicious activity
- If there is fraudulent activity, have it removed immediately and
monitor your credit report every 90 days for the next year
- Put everything in writing, and follow up with your credit card
companies, banks, and credit reporting agencies. Keep copies of all supporting documents
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission
- Change the passwords on your existing accounts and create new
ones for new accounts
Identity theft is real, and it’s a growing problem, and it could
happen to you. Although there are no guarantees that you can keep your information safe,
by paying attention to the risks and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can
minimize your chances of someday having an “identity crisis.” Good luck!
