Protect Yourself from Identity Theft and Fraud!

I recently delivered a seminar about the dangers of identity theft and fraud. During my research, I learned that identity theft is the #1 crime reported to the FTC. I wanted to share the information that I presented with readers because I believe it is an extremely important topic. It is imperative that you become knowledgeable about the ways in which you can protect your personal information.

You can avoid becoming a victim of fraud and identity theft.

What is Identity Theft?

• It occurs when someone steals your personal information – e.g., credit card or Social Security number – and uses it fraudulently
• It can cost you time and money
• It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name

Identity Theft Facts

• It is the #1 crime reported to the FTC.
• Over 11 million people became victims of identity fraud in 2009.
• The number of identity fraud incidents increased by 12 % over 2008.
• New York State is one of the Top 10 locations for Identity Theft. 
• Small business owners suffered identity fraud at 1.5 times the rate of other adults.
• Identity theft is frequently the result of the simplest ways to steal information, not from complex computer hacking or Internet fraud.
• It is essential to keep up with the laws that apply to your business
• Example: Select Physical Therapy in Levelland, TX was fined $990,000 by the Texas Attorney General for throwing old files in a dumpster
• There was NO confirmed Identity Theft as a result.
• The records were found by Dumpster-Divers
• California vs. Greenwood, 1988: “There is no common law expectation of privacy for discarded materials”

Fraud Facts

• Your bank will never email of call you for your account number.
• Don’t wire money to people you don’t know.
• Be cautious of work-at-home job offers.
• Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau.
• There are no legitimate jobs that involve reshipping items or financial instruments for your home.
• Foreign lotteries are illegal in the US. You can’t win no matter what they say.
• Check your monthly blank statements for charges you don’t recognize.
• Bill Gates is not giving away money if you forward emails
• The spice King, Tobacco Heiress and all the other people who want to share their fortune with you are hackers and scam artists. DON’T BE FOOLED by these scams, and DO NOT reply to the emails of any scammer or spammer.
• Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus once a year from annualcreditreport.com.

How does Identity Theft Happen?

• Identity thieves may: 
• Go through your trash or “dumpster dive”
• Steal your wallet or purse
• Steal your mail or submit a change of address form for your mail
• Use “phishing” or fake emails addresses to get you to provide personal information, or use other ‘con’ techniques to trick you
• Steal personnel records from their employers
• Use virus or spyware to steal passwords and/or account numbers
• ‘Hack’ your computer or network

click below for more details and helpful information

Warning Signs

• Sounds too good to be true.
• Pressures you to “act right away.”
• Guarantees success.
• Promises unusually high returns.
• Required an upfront investment by you — even for a “free” prize.
• Buyers want to overpay you for an item and have you send them the difference.
• Doesn’t have the look of a real business.
• Something just doesn’t feel right.
• Wants your bank routing info in order to make a deposit

Play It Safe

• Never click on a link inside an email to visit a web site. Type the address into your browser instead or mouse over the link and see what the actual link is by looking in the lower left hand side of your browser. (The safest course of action: don’t click at all!!)
• It’s easy for a business to look legitimate online. If you have any doubts, verify the company with the Better Business Bureau.
• Only 2% of reported identity theft occurs through the mail. Report online fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.
• Retain your receipts, statements, and packing slips. Review them for accuracy.
• Shred then recycle confidential documents instead of simply discarding them in the trash.

What can you do?

• DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information
• Shred financial documents before discarding them
• Protect your Social Security number
• Don’t give out personal information unless you’re sure who you’re dealing with
• Don’t use obvious passwords
• Keep your information secure
• Be sure you have a firewall, anti virus, anti spyware
• Scan your pc regularly
• Hold your postal mail deliveries when on vacation

• DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
• Be alert
• Mail or bills that don’t arrive
• Denials of credit for no reason
• Inspect your credit report
• Law entitles you to one free report a year from each nationwide credit reporting agencies if you ask for it
• Online:  www.AnnualCreditReport.com; by phone: 1-877-322-8228; or by mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
• Inspect your financial statements
• Look for charges you didn’t make
• DEFEND against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem.
• Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports by calling any one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies:
• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
• Review reports carefully, looking for fraudulent activity
• Close accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
• File a police report
• Contact the Federal Trade Commissio
• 5 Principles to consider from the FTC

1. Take Stock.  Know what you have in your files.
2. Scale Down. Keep only what you need.
3. Lock It.  Protect what you decide to keep.
4. Pitch It. Properly dispose of what you no longer need. The FTC now specifically recommends shredding all financial records before disposal.
5. Plan Ahead. 

Get Involved

• It’s never too early to become an informed consumer. Point out “too good to be true” offers to your kids, and teach them to be skeptical.
• Take an active interest in the financial activities of your aging parents.
• Share information about scams with friends and family. Use social networking to help keep them safe.
• Forward fraudulent emails to the proper company or government agencies.
• Stay informed by following a blog or signing up for a newsletter