By Amanda Cowan Identity Theft What is Identity

By Amanda Cowan Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft? �When another person steals your information and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes �The information stolen can be: Credit Card information Social Security Number Name Etc.

Consequences �An identity thief can ruin your good credit and your good name As a result you could get denied ▪ Loans ▪ Educational, Home, or Car ▪ Job Opportunities ▪ Most employers check your credit before hiring you Some people are also arrested for crimes they have never committed

Be Aware! �Around 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year �Many do notice until they check their credit report, get a credit card statement, or in some cases are contacted by a debt collector or law enforcement officer

Even if you are proactive…it might still happen � Social engineers (Someone who can get someone else to do something they wouldn’t normally do for a stranger) sometimes skip trying to fool you and go straight to the source �Banks, credit card companies, the DMV, etc. have all been fooled by these social engineers, into giving away important information that hurts you It happens more than you think!

How they do it � Dumpster diving Going through the trash to collect bills, letters, etc that have your personal information on them � Skimming Thieves will use a special device to store your credit card information after scanning it � Phishing Pretending to be institutions via email or pop up messages so that you reveal your personal information � Address changes Thieves will change your address so they get the bills instead of you…its harder for you to catch on that way � Stealing Sometimes they get your information just by pick pocketing you. � Pretexting Pretending to be someone else to fool financial institutions, credit card companies, etc for information on you

What you can do to prevent this �Check your credit report EVERY year You can do this once a year for free from the federal government Go the this website: https: //www. annualcreditreport. com/cra/index. jsp It is the ONLY website that is supported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) �SHRED the important documents that you no longer want

What you can do continued… �Be careful with EVERY email you receive For example look carefully at every sender. Instead of Paypal. com sending you an email, it may actually say Paypa 1. com, which at first glance can fool you �Carefully examine your credit card/bank statements �Keep a close eye on your wallet or pocket �Be knowledgeable and take action!

I think someone has stolen my identity… What is next?

What you can do. �Check your credit report immediately �If your credit has been stolen File a police report File a complaint with the FTC ▪ http: //www. ftc. gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/fili ng-a-report. html Notify your creditors Dispute EVERY transaction you did not do yourself Keep very detailed records of everything you do as you fight theft

The Four Steps �These Four Steps are recommended by the FTC if your identity has been stolen. Put a fraud alert on your credit reports ▪ This can run from 90 days to 7 years Close the accounts that have been or you suspect have been stolen File a complaint with the FTC File a complaint with your local police or the police where it occurred

Will I be able to prove it? �Keep detailed records on your own �By law, a business/company must give you a copy of the application or transaction record With this you can prove your signature isn’t a match, or provide the police with a document that could potentially identity the culprit

Keep Fighting! �The process to fighting identity theft can be long. �Keep fighting as long as it takes to regain your footing after theft �Tell your friends so that the same thing doesn’t happen to them.

Confused and Overwhelmed? �The FTCs website has very detailed steps for you to follow It contains phone numbers and websites for you to visit to make sure all the steps are completed �If you need assistance or help, contact the FTC

Sources �http: //www. ftc. gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idthef t/consumers/about-identity-theft. html �The Art of Deception by Kevin Mitnick