This is a summarized version of the full Identity Theft Handbook, to download the full version click here. (PDF, ~1MB) If you do not have Adobe® Reader, please click here to download it.
Some law enforcement authorities call identity theft "the fastest growing crime across the country right now." According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, most victims don't know how the perpetrators got their identity information.
New Identity Theft Facts:
The nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, click on Annual Credit Report, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. The form can be printed at www.ftc.gov/credit.
Many banks, credit reporting agencies (such as Equifax), and credit card companies are now assisting their clients with identity theft protection by monitoring their accounts for unusual activity for free or a small fee. Check with your bank, credit card company, or credit reporting agency for details.
Personal Records Protection
- Buy and use a crosscut shredder. Any paper you don't need to keep and that provides private information should be destroyed, especially credit card applications. Old tax bills, credit card receipts and brokerage statements should also be destroyed.
- Keep your financial records locked safely away in your home or a safe deposit box. Burglars may rob not only your home but may steel your identity as well if you have a break-in and financial records are not secured.
- Carry as little information as possible in your wallet. Do not carry your Social Security Card in case your wallet is stolen. Do not carry your passwords or PIN numbers in your wallet either.
- Do not use your Social Security number as an ID number for accounts or for your driver's license number.
- Don't put your address or license plate number on your key ring.
- Shield numbers from possible cameras or onlookers when using ATM machines and long distance phone cards.
Credit Card and Checking Account Precautions
- If at all possible, get credit cards with your picture on them (some are available).
- Be alert when expecting new credit cards or new checks through the mail. You may also want to have new checks delivered to your bank branch instead of your home in order to avoid the risk of having them stolen from your mailbox. You should not mail out checks from your home mailbox. Use a U.S. Post Office mail box instead.
- Be aware of billing cycles for all your credit accounts and make sure you receive bills on time. If a bill is late, contact the vendor, as this may be a sign that your mail has been stolen and your identity compromised.
- Cancel all credit cards you haven't used in 6 months. Forgotten open credit card accounts may be used by a thief who obtains either the card or your credit report.
- Monitor your credit card statements and bank statements for unauthorized charges. These could be a sign of an identity theft.
- If you think you have misplaced your card, cancel it immediately. Do not wait for it to turn up. Identity thieves work very quickly and run up charges in a matter of hours.
- Do not put your credit card account numbers on the internet (except on a secure site), on the outside of envelopes, or on your checks.
- Do not print your Social Security number or telephone number on your checks.
- Never give out personal information over the phone to someone you do not know. You also should not give out or discuss personal information over a cordless or cell phone as high tech scanners are able to listen in on your conversation.
Credit Report Precautions
- Order your credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies at least 2 times per year and immediately correct any mistakes in writing. If you see addresses where you have never lived and alias names that you do not recognize, immediately put up a fraud alert on your credit report stating, "Do not issue credit without first calling this number: ____________." To order your credit report, contact the following agencies.
- a. Equifax: www.equifax.com or 1-800-685-1111
- b. Experian: www.experian.com or 1-888-397-3742
- c. TransUnion: www.tuc.com or 1-800-888-4213
- Opt out of unsolicited credit and insurance offers by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT or go to www.optoutprescreen.com. This will significantly cut down on the number of pre-approved credit card offers you receive.
- Don't participate in phone surveys, marketing surveys, or contests, and don't fill out personal information on warranty cards.
Computer Protection
- Strengthen your home computer's login security. Remove or encrypt private confidential files with your personal information and guard your passwords carefully.
- Install firewall software to protect personal information on your hard drive.
- Read online privacy policies before registering with any websites and do not register if you are not comfortable with their policies.
- Don't display your personal or family data on the internet by creating a home page or family tree website.
- Beware of people you meet online. Do not give out personal information to anyone you do not know personally.
- Teach children never to give out personal information on the internet about any family member.
- Do not download files sent to you by strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don't know. This could expose you to a virus or a program that could then access information on your hard drive.
- Delete all files from a computer before desposing of it. Use a "wipe" utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive.
Please contact Legal Resources™ if you have any specific questions about identity theft protection or would like additional information in prevention of identity theft.