As our lives increasingly move online, it is important to know the basics of preventing identity theft. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions to help you protect your identity.
Identity theft is a crime where a thief uses an individual's personal information, such as their social security number, credit card information, driver's license number - or sometimes just their name -- and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes. It is a serious and growing problem, as more large institutions compile huge electronic databases of personal information that are vulnerable to the intrusion of hackers.
While high-tech electronic theft is clearly on the rise, identities continue to be stolen the old fashioned way as well--by looking over your shoulder while punching in ATM codes, stealing credit card statements, etc. Keep reading for tips on how to protect your identity.
If a thief gains access to your personal information, they can commit fraud by using your name to:
The possibilities are endless, which is exactly why criminals are so eager to get their hands on your personal information.
Identity theft can sometimes be taken care of quickly by just cancelling a credit card (e.g., you leave a credit card in a gas pump and the person after you uses it). In other cases, however, people will spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars trying to repair damage done to their credit. What is worse, even seemingly innocuous thefts can leave people feeling vulnerable and in a state of constant concern.
In addition to the vulnerability of being defrauded, victims of identity theft sometimes have to deal with unresponsive credit bureaus, angry businesses and financial insitutions, and, in some cases, hostile police forces who may not believe that the victim has truly experienced identity theft. This long, drawn out process leaves many people feeling victimized twice.
To avoid the situation as best you can, it is important to know how criminals may try to steal your personal information, and the practical ways you can protect your identity.
Identity thieves employ a wide array of tactics--some sophisticated, others decidedly low-tech--to get to your personal information. Methods criminals use include:
This is not an exhaustive list, but does give you an idea of the scope of criminals' operations. Your personal information is like gold and there will always be a criminal element trying to gain access to it.
Of paramount concern, of course, is zealously guarding your private information. For example, you should keep all of your paper records (e.g., your social security card, bills and bank statements) in a safe place at home and not carry them with you. The following is a list of basic tips to help protect yourself against identity thieves.
Monitoring your accounts and credit information is the best way to determine if something is amiss. You should check your credit score regularly (you're allowed one free report from each of the three credit bureaus each year) and investigate any activity that you don't recognize. This includes credit inquiries, which generally only come from reputable companies trying to determine if you qualify for a line of credit. To get a free copy of your credit score from one of the credit bureaus go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
There are companies which sell credit protection services (which is a misnomer--they are actually companies which allow you to monitor your own credit) on a monthly fee basis, generally for around $15. Many credit card companies also offer similar services for $10. If you can afford it, purchasing such a service can help you detect any irregular activity and give you piece of mind. The services provide you with a method of checking your credit information (history, activity, new credit inquiries) on a frequent basis. Before purchasing a service, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have complaints on file.
Also, be alert to signs that someone may have stolen your identity. For example, if you're not receiving certain bills regularly or you receive a credit card that you didn't sign up for. Or perhaps you have a debit on an account you can't explain. These could be one time anomalies, but you should investigate to make sure it's not anything more serious.
The steps outlined below should always be well documented--keep a record of the date and times you called a company as well as copies of anything that you send them as proof.
First, you should immediately close any accounts which you believe are affected. Be sure to speak to the company's fraud division and follow their instructions. Follow up with a written letter that includes any documentation you have supporting your claim. Keep copies of everything.
Call one of the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on the affected account(s) or on the entire credit report. By law, whichever company you contact must report the information to the other two credit reporting companies. Here is the contact information for the companies:
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Their online complaint form also provides a cover letter to present to a police agency when filing a report, which is the next place you should go. The cover letter explains your circumstances and provides documentation for the police. Some police departments aren't enthusiastic about filing identity theft complaints and the FTC forms may elicit more cooperation.
The FTC estimates that 3% of Americans are victims of identity theft each year. While that may sound like a small number, it comes out to about 9 million victims, many of whom are not even aware of the problem until months later, after a great deal of damage has been done. It is an exponentially growing problem as well--the FTC estimated in 2003 that there were only 500,000 victims of identity theft.
For more information on identity theft visit the FTC at www.ftc.gov or your state's secretary of state website. There you will find information on state laws which cover identity theft.
