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Identity theft is on the rise.
According to the FBI, identity theft is currently the
fastest growing crime in the United States. Over 27 million
Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last
five years!
Identity thieves gather personal information such as social
security numbers, bank account numbers or drivers license
numbers to do things such as:
- Open new
accounts and write bad checks
- Establish
fraudulent credit card accounts
- Obtain
automobile and personal loans
- Receive
cash advances
- Set up
utilities and cell phone service
- Change
statement mailing address(s) to cover up fraudulent
activity
- Rent an
apartment or obtain employment
These crimes
are committed in a variety of ways, including over the phone,
online and through obtaining printed materials with
sensitive information. These types of activity are usually
not noticed immediately as the criminals try to hide the
evidence to prolong their use of your information.
One of the
most common identity theft scams is done through e-mail and
is referred to as "Phishing." This is done by individuals
sending out official looking e-mails, which try to trick
recipients by requesting personal information. Financial institutions would never ask for
sensitive data over the phone or by e-mail, so if you are in
doubt, never divulge this information.
Following are some
things that you should and shouldn't do to protect your
identity.
|
What to Do |
What Not
to Do |
|
Shred everything, that
contains personal financial information such as bills,
receipts and credit card offers. |
Never volunteer personal
information when using your credit card. |
|
Keep personal information
in a secure location. |
Never provide personal
information such as account numbers, social security
number or your credit card number over the phone
unless you initiated the phone call and you know who
you are talking to. |
|
Contact the post office if
you are not receiving your mail. |
Don't leave receipts at
ATMs, retail stores or service stations. |
|
Be careful when entering
PIN numbers at ATM's or retail checkouts. |
Don't use your personal
mailbox for mailing envelopes containing credit card
information or personal checks. Use postal drop boxes
instead. |
|
Limit the number of credit
cards you carry in your purse or wallet. |
Never write passwords or
PINs on paper and place them in your wallet. Memorize
them instead. |
|
Report lost or stolen
credit cards immediately, and cancel any inactive
accounts. |
|
|
Monitor credit card
expiration dates and make sure replacement cards
arrive on time. |
|
|
Use passwords on your
credit cards and other accounts. |
|
|
Match credit card receipts
against monthly bills and reconcile your checking
account statements. |
|
|
Review your credit reports
annually. |
|
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