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
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). Inquite about a "Identity Theft Victim Passport."
Close all old accounts and open new one’s
Post a fraud alert with all credit co’s.
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.
Also now, there is a program in place to help victims who are under attack from police, creditors, bounty hunters, etc. You may obtain from the police, a "Identity theft Victim Passport" This document helps you discourage any persuer of the impersonator, to target you by mistake.
As reported on Dateline 7/17/03
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
Federal Trade Comm. 877-382-4357
