How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

OK, some of you reading this may have at one time in your life been a victom of identity theft. Last year the number of identity theft victims surpassed 1.5 million. How can you protect yourself?

The FTC is an excellent resource. Your bank's website probably also lists suggestions.

Check your credit report annually for anything fishy. Here are the top credit bureaus:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); http://www.experian.com/; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; http://www.transunion.com/; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

How identity thieves get your personal information:

They get information from businesses or other institutions by:
stealing records or information while they're on the job
bribing an employee who has access to these records
hacking these records
conning information out of employees
They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers,
new checks, and tax information.
They may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public trash dumps in a
practice known as "dumpster diving."
They may get 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
report.
They may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information in a data
storage device in a practice known as "skimming." They may swipe your card for an actual
purchase, or attach the device to an ATM machine where you may enter or swipe your card.
They may steal your wallet or purse.
They may complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
They may steal personal information they find in your home.
They may steal personal information from you through email or phone by posing 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:
They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to a
different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem.
They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the credit cards and
don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report.
They may establish phone or wireless service in your name.
They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
They may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your
name, and drain your bank account.
They may file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under
your name, or to avoid eviction.
They may buy a car by taking out an auto loan in your name.
They may get identification such as a driver's license issued with their picture, in your name.
They may get a job or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
They may give your name to the police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.

If you find you have been a victim of identity theft:

Close all accounts that you believe were used fradulently

File a police report

File a complaint with the FTC

What you can do:

Don't carry your SSN card; leave it in a secure place.
Treat your mail and trash carefully.
Don't print your SSN or Driver's License number on your checks.

For more suggestions, please read the full FTC report:
Taking Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft