Identity Theft (ID Theft) is when someone uses your confidential and/or personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud. This is done by using credit card, driver’s license, social security or other personal identification numbers. The thief does not need to be in actual possession of a physical card as long as they have the account information.
There are two categories of ID Theft. The thief can then use this to open new accounts (“True Name” identity theft). With "account takeover" identity theft, the thief uses the information to access your existing accounts.
Thieves can run up bills for the victims, but they can also commit crimes pretending to be the victim, who may have enormous difficulty proving otherwise. Identity theft is a federal offense.
In calendar year 2004 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received approximately 635,000 fraud and ID Theft complaints. Of those, a quarter million were ID Theft complaints, up 13% from the previous year. Nationally, the age group most vulnerable is between 18 – 40 years of age.
The Miami-Dade/Ft. Lauderdale metropolitan areas ranked 12th nationally for numbers of Fraud and ID Theft complaints. In Florida, Credit Card and Bank fraud were the two most common ID Theft complaints.
As bad as the initial costs are, perhaps the worst part of ID Theft is not the initial costs but rather the pain of recovery once your ID has been stolen. Once your ID is stolen your credit ratings can be effected and your identity with financial and possibly government agencies must be cleared and reestablished. It’s best to guard your identity against theft. Following are some steps to take to insure your identity isn’t stolen or that you’re quickly made aware of it if it is stolen. Also provided are steps to take if your ID is stolen.
Precautions against identity theft
-
Check your bank and credit card accounts at least once per billing cycle. Most credit card companies and banks provide you secured, online access to your accounts. You can catch unusual activity more quickly by viewing your account activity online rather than if you wait for monthly statements.
-
Get yourself a shredder for home use. Shred credit card receipts, bank statements, deposit slips, medical information, junk mail and other such documents, as they may contain private information.
-
If you have a stand alone mail box that is not locked, mail your letters from the post office. This prevents unauthorized persons from stealing your outgoing mail from your mail box. Don’t leave mail in your mailbox over night.
-
Don't give out personal information to telemarketers or others who initiated the call to you. Get a phone number to call marketers back if it is an offer you'd like to pursue.
-
When shopping online, make sure the company is reputable and displays an approved security symbol. The URL address should begin with HTTPS:// and you should look for a statement indicating this information will be encrypted and/or look for the golden padlock symbol in your browser status area to indicate that the information will be transferred using secure methods. Also, make sure you log out of the site when finished.
-
Request your own credit report each year and check the reports for inaccuracies. Request a free credit report (USA) If you've been the target of identity fraud, check the data every six months.
-
Limit the amount of personal information you publish on the web. Small fragments here and there may be enough for someone to impersonate you in many ways. Be especially careful with information used as security keywords for banks, e.g. mother's maiden name.
-
Don't divulge personal information such as date of birth to organizations that have no need of it - nearly all commercial organizations.
-
Don't routinely carry identity documents unless obliged by law to do so. Don't carry your social security card. Don't give out the number unless it is absolutely necessary or legally required (employers, landlords etc.).
-
Do not allow anyone to copy your identification documents. If commercial organizations require you to submit a copy as a condition of doing business either don't do business with them, or retrieve the copy when your business ends (a written statement that they have not taken further copies should be obtained).
-
Don't order checks preprinted with your driver's license or social security number. If you can keep your address off them, do so.
What to do if your identity is stolen
-
-
Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the
ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
-
File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
-
with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.
From the .
Links:
Town Hall... 
