How to avoid Identity Theft
Brought to you by the Austin Police Department

With the rise of the Internet these days as a main outlet for communication and financial dealings, comes the risk of identity theft. Many people think that is the main way their identity is stolen. But there are also many other common ways thieves can get your personal information and steal your identity. These are the five main ways: 

• 1. Dumpster Diving. Thieves go through trash looking for bills or other papers with your personal information on it. This is more common than you would imagine.
• 2. Skimming. Thieves “capture” your credit or debit card information with a special storage device when processing your card. This could happen at any retail store or restaurant.
• 3. Phishing. I think we’ve all heard of this one. Thieves pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam (or pop up messages) on the Internet to get you to respond to their email and reveal your personal information. Don’t be tempted. Use the original web address you’ve always used for that particular business.
• 4.Changing your address. Believe it or not, thieves will actually fill out a change of address form for you…and send all your mail to an address where they can pick it up, getting all your personal credit card and bank statements.
• 5. Plain old-fashioned stealing. Watch your wallet and purses, your mail, pre-approved credit offers, and new checks or tax forms. Thieves will even steal personnel or medical records from their employers or bribe employees who have that kind of access.
  
  

There are three easy things to remember to avoid identity theft--deter, detect, and defend. If you follow all the steps in “Deter”, you may never have to rely on the information in the “Detect” or “Defend” sections.

 DETER:

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information. Use a “cross-cut” shredder, not a straight shredder. They run less than $40 at any office supply store.
• Protect your social security number—don’t carry the card with you or write it on a check. Give it out ONLY when you know with whom you are dealing. Store the real deal in a safety deposit box or a secure safe at your home.
• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet UNLESS you know exactly whom you are dealing with.
• NEVER click on links sent in emails. Instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your computer, and make sure to keep the programs up to date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information from the Federal Trade Commission.
• DO NOT use an obvious password, such as your birth date or your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your social security number.
• Keep your personal information in a safe and secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, use outside help (such as a maid service) or are having work done in your home.
• Don’t leave personal documents in your vehicle, EVER. Carry your car insurance and registration, etc., in your wallet. And of course, never, ever leave your wallet in your car! Or your personal computer, for that matter, which may have a lot of your personal information on the hard drive. Think about it! How many of your “personal passwords” do you have stored somewhere on there????
  
  

DETECT:

Routinely monitor your financial accounts and billing statements, so that you can detect any suspicious activity. Be alert to signs that need immediate attention, such as:

• Bills that do not arrive when they should
• Unexpected credit card charges
• Credit denied for no apparent reason
• Phone calls or letters about purchase you did not make

ALWAYS look at your financial statements regularly, and get your credit report and review it every year. The law requires that the major nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—each give you a FREE copy of your credit report annually if you ask for it. There is also a toll-free number that the three companies put together to order your free reports each year: 1-877-322-8228. You can also write to them at: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

 DEFEND:

As soon as you think your identity has been compromised in any way, report it! Here’s how:

• Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports (which will entitle you to free copies of your credit reports), and review all of them carefully. This alert also tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name, or make changes to your existing accounts. They all have toll-free numbers to place an initial 90-day fraud alert. A call to one company will be sufficient.

Equifax:          1-800-525-6285

Experian:         1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

TransUnion:    1-800-680-7289

• Close accounts. Close anything that has been tampered with or established by the thief.
  • Call the security/fraud departments of each of the accounts if it was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies and supporting documents.
  • You can also use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.
  • Make sure to ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed, and debts discharged.
  • Keep copies of the documents and records of conversations about the theft.
•  File a police report! This will help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. This will help law enforcement across the country connect the dots, if they have information about the criminal. You can reach the FTC several ways:

Online:            ftc.gov/idtheft

Phone:             1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261

Mail:                Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission,

Washington, DC 20580

 posted 23 April 2008