ID THEFT

Did you know that Seven million Americans were victims last year of ID theft. The fastest growing financial crime, it involves the fraudulent use of someone else’s identity to get credit or merchandise.

-          Victims usually lose $800 and spend two years clearing their name.

-          Your best defense: Order you credit report annually from each of the three major bureaus and check for errors and bogus accounts. They are: Equifax 800-685-1111, PO Box 105851, Atlanta, GA 30348. TransUnion, 800-888-4213, PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022; and Experian, 888-397-3742,PO Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013. Report errors and promptly in writing.

-          ID Theft Insurance is typically not worth paying for. And credit-monitoring services don’t prevent the crime. Monitor your accounts yourself.

      Check your online bank statements each day, and your credit card activity at least once a week..

-          Be stingy with information. Never give you Social Security number, birth date, or mother’s maiden name unless you initiated the transaction.

-          Just say No. Consider “opting out” of information sharing at your financial institutions. Also opt-out of pre-approved credit offers by calling the Credit Reporting Industry at 888-567-8688.

-          Travel Light. Don’t carry ID that contains sensitive data like your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary.

-          Lock it Up. Safeguard your personal info. Drivers licenses and other government ID’s.

-          Shed and destroy. A valuable tool for getting rid of old documents that contain credit-card account numbers, birthdates and SSN’s numbers.

-          Guard Mail. Consider using a locked mailbox or slot to receive mail at home. Deposit mail in postal mailboxes or in the post office to discourage mail theft.

-          Keep you eye on the prize. Try not to let waiters; sales clerks, or gas station attendants disappear from view with your credit/debit to avoid skimming.

-         Beware of strange ATMs. Avoid using private or strange looking ATM machines. They may be rigged to skim data off your card’s magnetic strip.

-         No Surfing Allowed. Watch out for “shoulder surfers” when using pay phones or public Internet access; use your freehand to shield the keypad. Don’t use cordless phones to conduct sensitive financial or medical business. Eavesdroppers on other phones and those using eavesdropping equipment may be able to overhear your conversations.

(Some of the information provided within this report has been provided by Consumer Reports)

Some more do's and don't

1.The next time you order checks have only your
initials (instead of first name) and last name put on
them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not
know if you sign your checks with just your initials
or your first name, but your bank will know how you
sign your checks.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards.
Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED" or “Ck MY ID”

3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit
card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number
on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four
numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of
the number, and anyone who might be handling your
check as it passes through all the check processing
channels won't have access to it.

4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of
your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that
instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO
Box, use your work address. Never have your SS#
printed on your checks.You can add it if it is
necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get
it.

5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy
machine. Copy both sides of each license, credit card,
etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all
of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and
cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also
carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either
here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about
fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name,
address, Social Security number, credit cards.

In the event your credit cards are stolen, lost, go missing whatever take the following steps;

 1. We have been told we should cancel our credit
cards immediately. But the key is having the toll
free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know
whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

2. File a police report immediately in the
jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were
stolen. This proves to credit providers you were
diligent, and this is a first step toward an
investigation
(if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all

3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations
immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and
Social Security number.
The alert means any company that checks your
credit knows your information was stolen, and they
have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

 
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact
about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along
just about everything. But if you are willing to pass
this information along, it could really help someone
that you care about.