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COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS:
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal
your personal information, including:
1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for
bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using
a special storage device when processing your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or
companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to
reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing
statements to another location by completing a "change of
address" form.
5. "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 personnel records from their
employers, or bribe employees who have access.
DETER
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. It can destroy your credit
and ruin your good name.
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.
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 or write your Social
Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely
necessary or ask to use another identifier.
Don't give out personal information on the phone, through
the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are
dealing with.
Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead,
type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware,
and anti-virus software to protect your home computer;
keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more
information.
Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your
mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your
Social Security number.
Keep your personal information in a secure place at home,
especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or
are having work done in your house.
DETECT
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your
financial accounts and billing statements.
Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
Bills that do not arrive as expected
Unexpected credit cards or account statements
Denials of credit for no apparent reason
Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
Inspect:
Your credit report. Credit reports contain information
about you, including what accounts you have and your bill
paying history. The law requires the major nationwide
consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and
TransUnion - to give you a free copy of your credit report
each year if you ask for it.
Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a
service created by these three companies, to order your
free credit reports each year. You also can write: Annual
Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta,
GA 30348-5281.
Your financial statements. Review financial accounts and
billing statements regularly, looking for charges you did
not make.
DEFEND
Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.
Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports, and review
the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow
certain procedures before they open new accounts in your
name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three
nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free
numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call
to one company is sufficient:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your
credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you
haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on
your accounts that you can't explain.
Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered
with or established fraudulently.
Call the security or fraud departments of each company
where an account was opened or changed without your okay.
Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support
your written statement.
Ask for verification that the disputed account has been
closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations
about the theft.
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. Your
report helps law enforcement officials across the country
in their investigations.
Online: ftc.gov/idtheft
By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261
By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade
Commission, Washington, DC 20580
To learn more about ID theft and how to deter, detect, and
defend against it, visit
ftc.gov/idtheft.
Or request copies of ID theft resources by writing to:
Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130
Washington, DC 20580
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent,
deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace
and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop,
and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free
information on consumer issues, visit FTC.gov or call
toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY:
1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing,
identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into
Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to
hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in
the U.S. and abroad.
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About the ICFE:
The Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE) was founded in 1982 by the late Loren Dunton (creator of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation). The ICFE is dedicated to helping consumers of all ages to improve their spending, increase savings and use credit more wisely.
The ICFE is an award winning, nonprofit, consumer education organization that has helped millions of people through its education programs and resources. It publishes the Do-It-Yourself Credit File correction Guide, which is updated annually. The ICFE has distributed over one million Credit/Debit Card Warning Labels and Credit/Debit Card Sleeves world wide.
The ICFE became an official partner with the Department of Defense/Financial Readiness Campaign in June of 2004.The ICFE was an active partner in the California Student Debt Resource Awareness Project (CASDRAP) which resulted in a new web site: (studentdebthelp.org). CASDRAP disbanded in 2010, shortly after the web site project was completed. In 2011 the ICFE assumed the single sponsorship of the (studentdebthelp.org) web site and is now responsible for its content and operation.
The ICFE is also an on-line help for consumers who spend too much. ICFE's spending help was featured in PARADE Magazine in the Intelligence Report section. The money helps and tips are from the ICFE's Money Instruction Book, our course in personal finance.
Visit the ICFE's other web sites at: www.icfe.info and studentdebthelp.org. Both sites helps consumers and students with mending spending, learning about the proper use of credit, budget and expense guidelines, how to set up and implement a spending-plan and also how to access financial education courses and how to teach children about money. Other ICFE services include: Ask Mr. G, a free eNews, and an online resource center for students, parents and educators, plus financial education learning tools and a book store.
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