Identity theft involves the misappropriation of an individual's personal
information in order to commit fraud or theft. Identity thieves “take over”
an individual's identity by stealing the person's name, social security
number, credit and debit card numbers or other personal information.
Identity theft includes “taking over” an existing account, opening new
accounts or loans or purchasing merchandise in another person's name. Listed
below are several important guidelines from two Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) reports (Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft; ID
Theft-What's It All About?), and the CBM Credit Education Foundation, Inc.
Identity Theft-Your Good Name Gone Bad.
How skilled identity thieves obtain your personal information
From businesses or other institutions by:
Stealing records or information while they're on the job
Bribing an employee who has access to confidential records
Hacking these records
Conning information from employees
Stealing your mail, including bank and credit card statements,
credit card offers, new checks, and tax information
Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public
dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving"
Obtaining your credit reports by abusing their employer's authorized
access to them, or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else
who may have a legal right to access your credit report
Stealing your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the
information in a data storage device known as "skimming." Your card may
be used to make a purchase or the physical storage device is attached to
an ATM machine where you use your ATM card
Your wallet or purse is stolen
A change of address form diverts your mail to another location
Personal information is stolen from your home
Personal information is obtained from you through email or phone
when identity thieves pose as legitimate companies and claiming that you
have a problem with your account. This practice is known as "phishing"
online, or pretexting by phone
How identity thieves use your personal information
Identity thieves may call your credit card issuer to change the
billing address on your credit card account. The imposter proceeds to
make charges to your account. Since your monthly bill is sent to a
different address, it may delay your ability to recognize the problem
New credit card accounts are opened in your name. When the new
credit cards bills are not paid, the delinquent accounts are reported on
your credit report
Phone or wireless service is established in your name
A new bank account is opened in your name and bad checks are written
against it
Counterfeit checks, credit or debit transactions, or electronic
transfers are fraudulently authorized in your name to withdraw funds
from your bank account
The identity thief files for bankruptcy under your name to avoid
eviction or paying debts incurred in your name
An auto loan is approved in your name to purchase a vehicle
Identification such as a driver's license is issued with the picture
of the identity thief, in your name
Employment or fraudulent tax returns are filed in your name
Identity thieves may give your name to the police during an arrest.
If they don't appear on their court date, an arrest warrant is issued in
your name
How to protect yourself
Protect your personal information
Never carry your Social Security card, Social Security number, birth
certificate or passport, unless necessary
Do not include your address, telephone number or driver's license
number on a credit card receipt
Do not print your Social Security, driver's license or phone number
on your personal checks
Do not provide identifying information over the phone or the
Internet to someone you do not know
Shred all personal documents before placing them in the trash.
Protect your financial information
Obtain a copy of your credit report every year
Secure your financial records. Burglars may be just as interested in
credit cards, bank accounts, and investment statements as they are in
your television, jewelry and other valuables
Check monthly credit card statements for charges you did not
initiate. If monthly statements do not arrive in the mail, call your
card issuer immediately
Keep a list of all credit cards and financial accounts including
account numbers, phone numbers and expiration dates in a safe place.
Only use your credit card on the Internet if the transaction will be
encrypted
Shred financial and confidential information such as credit card
pre-approvals, credit card receipts, etc.
Store credit cards you do not use in a secure location. Cancel
accounts if you will not use them again; destroy old credit cards before
discarding
Carry only the credit cards you plan to use
When you apply for a new credit card, watch for your card in the
mail. If the card does not arrive promptly, call the credit card company
Do not use your mother's maiden name as a password for accounts.
Create your own password
Unless your home mailbox is secure, mail payments at the post office
and pick up your personal check orders/reorders for new checks at your
financial institution
If you are not interested in pre-approved credit offers, opt-out by
phoning 1-888-567-8688.
Protecting your computer information
Update your virus protection software regularly
Don't download files from strangers or click on hyperlinks from
people you don't know
Use a firewall, especially if you have a high-speed connection to
the Internet. Without a firewall, hackers can take over your computer
and access sensitive information
Use a secure browser (software that encrypts or scrambles
information you send over the Internet) to guard the safety of your
online transactions. When you're submitting information, look for the
“security lock” icon on the status bar that confirms transmitted
information is secure (https://www...).
Do not store financial information on your laptop unless it is
absolutely necessary. If you must store information, use a “secure”
password, containing a combination of letters (upper and lower case),
numbers, and symbols
Avoid using an automatic login feature that saves your password and
log off when you are finished. If your laptop is stolen, the thief will
have a hard time accessing sensitive information
Delete all personal information stored on your computer before you
dispose of it. Use a “wipe” utility program that overwrites the entire
hard drive and makes files unrecoverable
Read Web site privacy policies to answer questions about the access,
security and how personal information collected at the site will be
stored and whether it can be provided to third parties in the future.
Publications available from Aurora Credit Union:
Federal Trade Commission Publications: Take Charge: Fighting Back
Against Identity Theft ID Theft: What's It All About?
CBM Credit Education Foundation, Inc. Publication: Identity Theft:
Your Good Name Gone Bad
For additional information on identity theft,
click here
for the Identity Theft Coach.
