 
|
 |
Protect
Your Financial Identity
from the ABA Education Foundation
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing
types of financial fraud. Without stealing your wallet, a crook can
steal your financial identity with as little information as your
social security number. It is also called "account-takeover
fraud" or "true-name fraud," and it involves crooks'
assuming your identity by applying for credit, running up huge bills
and stiffing creditors - all in your name.
Take these steps to protect yourself:
1. Get a
copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit
bureaus every year. It lists all of the lines of credit in your
name. Check to be sure that everything is accurate, that all of
the accounts are yours and that accounts you have requested to be
closed are marked closed. Bureau reports cost around $8 each. But,
if you've been turned down for credit, you are eligible for a free
report.
To order credit
bureau reports, call:
 |
TransUnion Credit
Services 800-888-4213
|
Equifax Credit
Services 800-685-1111
|
Experian Credit
Services 888-397-3742
|
| |
2.
Keep an eye on your accounts throughout the year by reading your
monthly/periodic statements thoroughly. That's an easy way for you
to be sure that all of the activity in your accounts was initiated
by you.
3. Tear up or shred pre-approved credit offers, receipts
and other personal information that link your name to account
numbers. Don't leave your ATM or credit card receipt in public
trash cans. Crooks (a.k.a dumpster divers) are known to go through
trash to get account numbers and other items that will give them
just enough information to get credit in your name.
4. If
your credit card or other bills are more than two weeks late, you
should do three things: First, contact the Postal Service to see
if someone has forwarded your mail to another address. Second,
contact your bank to ask if the statement or card has been mailed.
Third, contact the businesses that send you bills.
5. When you pay bills, don't put them in your mailbox with
the red flag up. That's a flashing neon light telling crooks to
grab your information. Use a locked mailbox or the post office.
6. Protect your account information. Don't write your
personal identification number (PIN) on your ATM or debit card.
Don't write your social security number or credit card account
number on a check. Cover your hand when you are entering your PIN
number at an ATM.
7. Don't carry your Social Security card, passport or birth
certificate unless you need it that day. Take all but one or two
credit cards out of your wallet, and keep a list at home of your
account information and customer service telephone numbers. That
way, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you'll only have to notify
a few of your creditors and the information will be handy.
8. Never provide personal or credit card information over
the phone, unless you initiated the call. Crooks are known to call
with news that you've won a prize and all they need is your credit
card number for verification. Don't fall for it. Remember the old
saying, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably
is."
|
|
Take action if you
are a victim:
1. Financial fraud is a crime; call your local police
department.
2. Contact the fraud units of all three credit bureaus. Ask
them to "flag" your account, which tells creditors that
you are a victim of identity fraud. Also, add a victim's statement
to each of your credit bureau reports that asks creditors to
contact you in person to verify all applications made in your
name. Call the fraud units of the credit bureaus at:
|
TransUnion Fraud
Assistance Department 800-680-7289
|
Equifax Fraud
Assistance Department 800-525-6285
|
Experian Fraud
Assistance Department 888-397-3742
|
| |
3. Call
the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft hotline at 1 (877) IDTHEFT.
The hotline is staffed by counselors trained to help ID theft
victims. Check out the FTC Web
Site, which includes an Identity
Theft Affadavit to help
simplify the process of clearing up accounts opened by an identity
thief.
4. Notify
your banks. They can help you obtain new account numbers for all
of your checking, savings and other accounts. Be sure to pick a
new PIN number for your ATM and debit cards. Close all of your
credit card accounts and open with new account numbers.
5. Notify the Postal Inspector if you suspect mail theft -
a felony.
6. Depending on your
situation, you may want to contact the Social Security
Administration to get a new Social Security number. Their
telephone number is 800-772-1213. You also may want to contact
your telephone, long distance, water, gas and electrical companies
to alert them that someone may try to open an account in your
name.
7. Finally, make sure to maintain a log of all the contacts
you make with authorities regarding the matter. Write down each
person's name, title, and phone number in case you need to
re-contact them or refer to them in future correspondence.
 You
will need Acrobat Reader, a free, and freely distributable,
software to view and print Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)
files. Download
your FREE copy.
|
|
|
|
