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 FAQ |
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What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when your personal information is used by someone else to take money from you, open new credit accounts or services, apply for loans, purchase property, acquire licenses and commit felony/ misdemeanor crimes in your name. These acts can cause victims financial harm, emotional harm and affect their integrity, notwithstanding the possibility the victim could go to jail in place of the perpetrator of a committed crime. As a victim of identity theft, you would surely spend countless hours and significant frustration to clear your name; unfortunately victims of identity theft are frequently treated as the guilty party instead of the actual perpetrator.
Is it possible to prevent identity theft?
Preventing identity theft is next to impossible! Identity theft victims are usually selected randomly by thieves based on how easily the thief can acquire your personal information. As a result, if you are a targeted victim, your only protection against identity theft is early detection
How could my personal information be obtained?
The only information a criminal needs to commit crimes using your personal identity are: your full name, social security number and date of birth. The question becomes, how does a thief get information about you; the following overview of an October 2003 Consumer Report article provides the answer.
How can I protect myself from identity theft?
While you may not be able to prevent identity theft, there are measures you can take to deter identity theft and reduce your risk. Some of the things you can do include:
There are 3 major credit bureaus. You can contact any one of the three bureaus for a report.
Experian (1-888-397-37420)
Trans Union (1-800-680-72890)
Equifax (1-800-525-62850)
What is being done about identity theft?
Currently, all states have laws or pending legislation pertaining to identity theft and privacy issues. You can contact your State Attorney Generals Office for information on laws related to identity theft in your state.
Identity theft occurs when your personal information is used by someone else to take money from you, open new credit accounts or services, apply for loans, purchase property, acquire licenses and commit felony/ misdemeanor crimes in your name. These acts can cause victims financial harm, emotional harm and affect their integrity, notwithstanding the possibility the victim could go to jail in place of the perpetrator of a committed crime. As a victim of identity theft, you would surely spend countless hours and significant frustration to clear your name; unfortunately victims of identity theft are frequently treated as the guilty party instead of the actual perpetrator.
Is it possible to prevent identity theft?
Preventing identity theft is next to impossible! Identity theft victims are usually selected randomly by thieves based on how easily the thief can acquire your personal information. As a result, if you are a targeted victim, your only protection against identity theft is early detection
How could my personal information be obtained?
The only information a criminal needs to commit crimes using your personal identity are: your full name, social security number and date of birth. The question becomes, how does a thief get information about you; the following overview of an October 2003 Consumer Report article provides the answer.
- Stealing Company Data
- Pretexting
- Dumpster Diving
- Mail Theft
- Account Takeover
- Skimming
- Raiding Your Computer
How can I protect myself from identity theft?
While you may not be able to prevent identity theft, there are measures you can take to deter identity theft and reduce your risk. Some of the things you can do include:
- Shred all unwanted materials
- Secure personal information in your home
- Do not give out personal information over the phone or on the internet to unknown individuals
- Do not send personal information in emails unless the emails are encrypted
- Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes, not personal mail boxes
- Pay attention to billing cycles and follow-up with creditors if statements are incorrect or do not arrive at your home as scheduled
- Subscribe to an identity theft monitoring service to assure early detection of any irregularity
There are 3 major credit bureaus. You can contact any one of the three bureaus for a report.
Experian (1-888-397-37420)
Trans Union (1-800-680-72890)
Equifax (1-800-525-62850)
What is being done about identity theft?
Currently, all states have laws or pending legislation pertaining to identity theft and privacy issues. You can contact your State Attorney Generals Office for information on laws related to identity theft in your state.
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