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Identity Theft Exploding: Here's How You Can Avoid Becoming A
Victim
Americans are more concerned about identity theft than
unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey of 2,000
people conducted by Star Systems.
Nine out of ten Americans demand new federal legislation,
while two-thirds say the financial services industry needs to do
a better job of verifying the identity of customers who open bank
accounts (66 percent) and credit card accounts (72 percent).
Some 5.6 percent of respondents reported being victims of
identity theft, which translates to 12 million people. When debit
and credit card fraud and identity theft were combined, close to
15.9 percent of consumers say they have been the victim of one of
these crimes. (Source: Star Systems, 2003)
For most of us, using your debit or credit card to make a
purchase has become an every day aspect of life. Many of us do it
every day and feel safe in doing so.
But it is far from safe. People with your debit or credit card
information may make purchases with your card information over
the telephone, via the Internet, or at a local retail store.
As we moved to a cashless system of transactions by debit or
credit card, a relatively simple crime niche has grown - identity
theft and fraud.
Some law enforcement authorities are not pursuing the crime in
a coordinated and cooperative fashion. Thus, a situation has
grown that affords the people who perpetrate such acts of theft
and fraud, act with a degree of confidents that they will not get
caught.
What can you do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of
identity theft or fraud?
Here is a list of actions that you can take to avoid becoming
a victim of identity crimes.
1. Never throw receipts or statements away that have personal
information on them. The trash is the greatest repository of
information for the identity thief. Even better, shred everything
that has identifying information on it (transaction receipts,
etc.).
2. Pay to have an unlisted telephone number in your local
telephone directory.
3. Take as much identification off of your personal checks and
driver's license as possible. Thus, no home addresses, phone
numbers, or social security numbers on personal checks. Last only
your last name and first initial rather than your full name. You
want a retail clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a
check.
Most states now provide a photo ID on all new automobile
drivers licenses issued. If you do not have one, conceder getting
your licenses renewed now to get a photo ID for identification
purposes. Do not put your social security number on your driver's
license.
4. Check your bank accounts for suspicious activity everyday,
this can be done online via the Internet.
5. Have your middle initial removed from all public
documentation if possible. Middle initials help identity thieves
narrow down their searches for victims.
6. If someone calls you asking for your personal information
on the telephone - do not provide any personal information to
anyone over the phone.
7. Don't leave your mail out overnight. If you will be away
from home for any period of time: have your home mail delivery
stopped. If possible, secure a locked mail box at your local post
office or a retail store mail box service for your home mail
delivery.
If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper delivery
stopped and arrange to have your yard maintained. Include the
post office, newspaper service, and your friends or neighbors to
insure that your home looks as if it is occupied while you are
gone.
For a checklist for your home security while you are away see
- www.ProtectionConnect.com/homesecuritychecklist.html
or www.ProtectionConnect.com/sitemap.html#home
8. Write "Check ID" on the back of your debit or credit cards
next to your signature. In that way, when a retail store checks
your signature on your card, they will verify that the card is
being used by the proper individual.
9. Be aware of people standing too close to you and "shoulder
surfing" you while you conduct your ATM transactions.
If you do become a victim of an identity crime - do the
following:
1. Demand to file a police report no matter how unwilling the
law enforcement office may be. Make sure to get a copy or at
least the report number.
2. In the case of card fraud, make sure to cancel your card
and report it as stolen to your credit card company as soon as
you find out.
Immediately, fill out affidavits with the appropriate
financial institution denying that you were the one who made the
relevant purchases. In most cases, the banks will respond with up
to a 30-day process that requires the businesses that accepted
the fraudulent transactions to repay the banks.
3. Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus:
* TransUnion
Post Office Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
* Equifax
Equifax Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc
Post Office Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
1.888.766.0008
* Experian
Consumer Information
Post Office Box 1909
Orange, CA 92865
4. The U.S. Secret Service handles fraud cases that cross
state borders. If you know that your case applies, contact their
local office to make them aware of your case. If it is part of a
broader fraud case, you may be contacted by an agent.
5. You can also fill out a complaint form with the Federal
Trade Commission, although this is strictly used to track
national identity theft statistics.
Copyright Steven Presar
About The Author
Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology coach,
Internet publisher, author, speaker, and trainer. He provides
personal, home, and computer security solutions at www.ProtectionConnect.com. He provides business
software reviews at www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he
publishes articles for starting and running a small business at
www.abcResults.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO
newsletter.
MORE RESOURCES:
Credit - Google News
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