Lifestyle ... Safety - Security
Protecting yourself against Identity Theft
Article provided by:
Jo Letwaitis
The Senior Site, Inc
Common Ways Identity Theft Occurs
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including:
- Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
- Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers.
- Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions.
- Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location.
- “Old Fashioned” Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personal records from their employers.
Deterring Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. Safeguard your personal information by:
- Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
- Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
- Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet.
- Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you don’t know.
- Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Keep your personal information in a secure place at home.
- Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay.
- File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
- Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
Detecting Identity Theft
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
- Bills that do not arrive as expected.
- Denials of credit for no apparent reason.
- Unexpected credit cards or account statements.
- Calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
Defend Yourself
Defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect it.
- Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports and review the reports carefully.
- Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
To learn more about Identity Theft and how to deter, detect and defend against it call 877-438-4338 or TTY 866-653-4261 or visit us online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft. To recieve more information by mail write to us at:
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580