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Since
1987
300 Montgomery Ave., Oxnard, CA. 93036 (805)988-9540
E:Mail nccorthu@sbcglobal.net
http://www.cal-pactech.com/
Deterring
Identity Theft
( Courtesy
of the Federal Trade Commission and
the OECD )
Identity theft is the fastest growing financial crime in America and the precursor to other crimes. The number of identity theft victims is increasing at a rate of about 30 percent per year. An estimated 900,000 Americans were affected in 2002. The number of new victims in 2005 is estimated to exceed 1.5 million, with associated losses of $8.0 billion just within the finacial services industry. Identity theft ranks first on the American Bankers Association’s list of fraud concerns.
Identity theft occurs when someone acquires your
Social Security number, credit card number, bank account number, or other personal identifying information and
uses that information to commit fraud or other crimes. Local criminals commit
identity theft crimes individually
or as members of rings – so do organized crimes syndicates and international terrorist organizations.
Identity thieves acquire your personal identifying
information in many ways. Some computer-savvy criminals exploit opportunities created by the Internet. Others access public records, employ trickery, or steal business
information. Still others rely on old-fashioned methods, like mail theft, stealing wallets and purses, and rummaging through trash. Regardless
of how it is obtained, identity thieves will use your personal information to
make withdrawals from existing accounts, open new accounts, apply for loans, or commit
other crimes - in your name.
It is predicted that one of every four Americans will become
a victim of identity theft.
Typically, victims are not aware for
more than a year that their identity has been co-opted.
The first sign often comes from a bill collector, law enforcement officer, or through
an unexpected refusal of credit. By that time, substantial damage already may have
been inflicted on the victim’s assets and credit standing. Victims
of identity theft generally spend 175 hours over two years and pay out-of-pocket
expenses between $800 and $1,700 to repair the damage. Less easy to quantify,
but often more damaging, is the impact on the victim’s good name and sense
of well-being.
Deluxe Corporation, the world’s leading
check printer, wants to help you understand identity
theft and know how you can protect yourself from this crime.
The facts
about
Identity Theft
• Topped Government’s list of consumer frauds for each
of the past three years.
• Estimated 12 million Americans already affected.
•Complaints to the Federal Trade Commision nearly doubled
between 2001 and 2002.
•Fastest growing financial crime in America – 30 percent
annual growth rate – a new victim every 30-40 seconds.
•Estimated 900,000 new victims in 2002. Predicted that
the number of new victoms in 2005 will exceed 1,500,000.
Deterring Identity Theft
While it is fairly easy for criminals to steal your identity,
common sense
can help lessen your risk of falling
victim to this crime. These basic guidelines
will make it more difficult for fraud artists to target you: •
Be careful disclosing information to strangers via the Internet, telephone, applications
or through the mail.
• Be especially cautious when sharing information over
the Internet.
Make sure Web sites have a closed padlock
icon in the corner of the
screen before submitting data. • Understand how your information will be used before sharing
it with
merchants and others. Know if you have
a choice about how it is used.
• Do not share personal information through Internet chat
rooms.
• Install firewall and anti-virus software on your home
computer.
• Avoid using obvious passwords and personal identification
numbers on
your computers and credit/debit cards.
• Use a separate credit card for online transactions.
• Have checks printed by a reputable check printer like
Deluxe, that uses
paper stock embedded with security
features that exceed industry guidelines.
• Don’t include your Social Security number, driver’s license
number or
other unnecessary information on checks.
• Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three
credit bureaus
at least once a year.
• Subscribe to a service from a trusted company that provides
check
monitoring/check order screening –
like Deluxe ID TheftBlock™.
• Ask your financial institution if it participates in a program that combats document check fraud – like Deluxe SecureMail®.
° AN IMPORTANT FACTOR NOT MENTIONED IS DESTROY TOTALLY YOUR PAPERS THAT MAY HAVE ANY PERSONAL
OR CORPORATE INFORMATION ON THEM BY USING A PAPER SHREDDER OR BURNING THEM. THE DUMPSTER DIVERS ARE AT WORK IN
YOUR TRASH AND AT THE LANDFILLS.. REMEMBER THAT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DRIVERS LISCENCE NUMBER OR BANK ACCOUNT
NUMBER OR WORSE YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBERS ARE GOLD
If You Fall Victim to Identity Theft
Sometimes identity thieves can strike even if you’ve been careful about protecting your personal information. The most important thing you can do if someone steals your identity is to act quickly. Identity thieves can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. The moment you suspect you're a victim of identity theft, take the following steps:
• Contact all affected credit card issuers, financial institutions,
telephone service
providers and any other organizations
that you have relationships with.
• File a report with your local law enforcement agency,
or the one where the
crime occurred. Get a copy of the police
report.
The cost
of
stolen identities
• Average fraud per case:
$17,000
• Cost to straighten out finances:
$800 - $1,700
• Contact the fraud department at any one of the credit bureaus. Whichever bureau you contact, it will notify the other two.
• Ask that
a fraud alert and victim’s statement be placed
on your account file and request a copy of your
credit report.
• Review your
credit report(s) carefully for fraudulent activity.
After four months, order copies of your reports
again and repeat the review process.
• Immediately alert financial institutions, credit card issuers or any other organization if there is new fraudulent activity occurring.
• If the crime involved theft from the mail, contact your
local Postal
Inspection office.
• Call the Federal Trade Commision identity theft hotline
to file a report.
Additional Precautions
There are many other things you can do to help prevent
identity theft. These
activities can keep your information
out of the wrong hands, and can help you detect
possible fraud faster:
• Shred or destroy credit card offers and other documents that contain personal information.
• Consider purchasing a locking mailbox.
• Don’t leave sensitive mail in your mailbox.
• Remove credit card numbers from receipts submitted for
rebate offers.
• Photocopy both sides of all credit cards and store copies
in a safe place.
• Pay attention to billing cycles for missing bills.
• Don’t leave personal information lying around your house.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card or birth certificate.
• Examine statements for unauthorized charges.
Important contact
numbers
Equifax
www.equifax.com
Order a credit report:
1-800-685-1111
Report fraud:
1-800-525-6285
Experian
www.experian.com
Order a credit report:
1-888-397-3742
Report fraud:
1-888-397-3742
TransUnion
www.transunion.com
Order a credit report:
1-800-916-8800
Report fraud:
1-800-680-7289
Federal Trade Commission
1-877-438-4338
“Who steals my purse steals trash... But he that filches from me
my good name... Makes me poor indeed.”
William Shakespeare
Othello, Act III, Scene iii, 161-165
IF YOU DESIRE MORE COPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT JUST CALL
(805) 988-9540
( Courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission and the OECD )