Identify Theft and Fraud

Identity theft is quickly becoming one of America’s fastest growing industries. Operating under a variety of methods, identity thieves are obtaining key pieces of our identities and fraudulently using that information for various illegal reasons. Your social security number, driver’s license number or credit card will easily do the trick. Even that blank, pre-approved credit application that you tossed out this morning with the coffee grounds could allow someone to rob you of the one thing you may have thought was completely safe, your identity.

Release your Social Security Number (SSN) only when absolutely necessary because it is the key to your credit and banking accounts. Do not have your SSN printed on your checks. If your state uses your SSN as your drivers license number, apply to have it changed.

Order your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement once a year to check for fraud by calling (800) 772-1213. If your SSN is fraudulently used, report it to the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Mail theft has also become a problem. Thieves are targeting outgoing mail in residential mailboxes. The thieves know that many of these outgoing items contain credit card and bank account information. If possible, it is best to use secured post office receptacles for outgoing mail.

Reduce the number of credit cards you actively use and cancel all unused accounts. Keep a list/photocopy of all your credit card information and if fraudulent charges appear on one of your accounts call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at (800) 388-2227 for help in clearing false claims from your credit report.

Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit cards receipts, bills and other financial information you don’t want before tossing them in the trash. If you do not have a home shredder, use scissors, tear several times or use a shredder at work.

Do not use a “bank debit card” over the Internet or telephone orders. Fraud related to these can result in immediate withdrawal of all of your funds. In these cases the funds are gone and the fraud must be confirmed before a bank “may” reimburse your account. Check your bank to determine their policies on debit cards. Although they say VISA on them, banks are not required to provide the same protection on them as they do VISA credit cards.

Do not leave receipts in shopping bags. Some stores print your credit card number on them. When thrown away this information becomes readily available to thieves.

Order your credit report once a year from each of the following three major credit reporting bureaus to check for inaccuracies and fraudulent use of your accounts. Consider removing your name from the marketing lists to reduce the number of pre-approved credit applications you receive in the mail.

1.      Equifax Credit Reporting Bureau, P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA  30374. To order a copy of your credit report call (800) 685-1111 and to remove your name from receiving pre-approved credit offers and marketing lists call (800) 567-8688 or write to the above list.

2.   Experian Credit Reporting Bureau (formerly TRW), P.O. Box 1017, Allen, TX 75013. To order a copy of your credit report call (888) 397-3742 and to remove your name from receiving pre-approved credit offers (800) 353-0809 or write to the above address.

3.   Trans Union, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634. To order a copy of your credit report call (800) 916-8800 and to remove your name from receiving pre-approved credit offers and marketing lists call (800) 680-7293.

Reduce the amount of junk mail and unwanted telemarketing calls by writing to the following:

1.   Unwanted junk mail, contact the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008 and request that your name along with your home address be removed from all mailing lists.

2.      Unwanted telemarketing  (phone) solicitation contact the DMA’s Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY  11735-9014 and request that your name be removed from their direct telemarketing list. Also, be aware when dialing an 800, 888 or 900 number, your name, address and telephone number are probably captured by the company you dialed. Dialing *67 before any call should, in most states, conceal your identifiers.

Note: These two DMA exemption requests must be filled separately and are only good for five years, at which time you will have to make another removal request. The DMA only accepts written requests, however a general information number for DMA is (212) 768-7277.

Identity theft problems continue to grow, and so does the access to personal information compiled in private and government databases, including thousands of records available on the Internet with little or no privacy protection standards. Your personal privacy and identity is paramount. Practicing or following some of the above suggestions will reduce your risk from threats associated with identity fraud.