NewsPings: 11/04/11

Identity theft 101. Know your remedy.

Federal agencies released a revised guide designed to tackle the ongoing issue of identity fraud.

The brochure – entitled You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft – contains a number of steps individuals can take to reduce the chances of an invasion of privacy and possible financial loss.

For example, people should never disclose their Social Security number or other potential password over the phone or internet unless they initiated the contact, the guidance states.

"If you are unsure whether a contact is legitimate, go to the company’s website by typing in the site address or using a page you have previously bookmarked, instead of using a link provided by the email," the authorities advise in a reference to so-called phishing attacks.

If you do fall victim to an identity fraudster, contact your financial institution so that a note can be placed on your file. The guidance also encourages you to inform the Federal Trade Commission of any attempted attack.

As many as nine million Americans are the subject of identity fraud each year, according to FTC estimates. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PURSE/WALLET IS LOST/STOLEN

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name,address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I

(author of this piece) have firsthand knowledge, because my

wallet was stolen last month and within a week the thieve(s)

ordered an expensive monthly cellphone package, applied for

a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway

computer,received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving

record information online, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in

case this happens to you or someone you know. As everyone

always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the

key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy

so you know who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily

(having to hunt for them is additional stress you WON'T need at that

point!).

File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it

was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and

is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

Also, file a ID theft affidavit with the FTC

But here's what is perhaps most important...I never ever

thought to do this:

Call the three national credit reporting organizations

immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had

never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to

tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my

name. 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.

By the time I was advised to do this - almost 2 weeks after the

theft, all the damage had been done (there are records of all the

credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I

knew about before placing the alert). Since then, no additional

damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in).

It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.

The numbers are: Equifax 1-800 525-6285.

Experian (formerly TRW) 1-888-397-3742 (main no.)

Trans Union 1-800-680-7289.

Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at

1-800-269-0271.

We pass along jokes, we pass along just about everything....do

think about passing this information along.... it could help someone

else.

For more identity theft info: http://www.techtv.com/cybercrime/privacy/story/0,23008,2103957,00.html

FTC identity theft hotline www.consumer.gov/idtheft/victim.htm, or 877/438-4338

Identity theft resource center www.idtheftcenter.org

Electronic Privicy Info. Ctr. www.epic.org/privacy

Privicy rights Center www.privacyrights.org

___________________________________________________________

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his

company. I pass it along, for your information.

The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of

first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your check book 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.

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.

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both

sides of meach license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your

wallet and all of the account ~~~~~~s and phone ~~~~~~s to call and cancel.

Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport

when I 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,

credit cards, etc.

Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my

wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an

expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had

a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN ~~~~~~ from

DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this

happens to you or someone you know: We have been told we should cancel

our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free ~~~~~~s and

your card ~~~~~~s handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you

can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction

where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent,

and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's

what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this) Call the

three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud

alert on your name and Social Security ~~~~~~. I had never heard of doing

that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for

credit was made over the Internet in my name. 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.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the

theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks

initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before

placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and

the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It

seems to have stopped them in their tracks. The ~~~~~~s are:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes; we pass along just about everything. Do think

about passing this information along. It could really help someone you care

about.

ID Theft Center http://www.idtheftcenter.org