| Americans are more concerned about identity theft | | | | 6. If someone calls you asking for your personal |
| than unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a | | | | information on the telephone – do not provide |
| survey of 2,000 people conducted by Star Systems. | | | | any personal information to anyone over the phone. |
| Nine out of ten Americans demand new federal | | | | 7. Don’t leave your mail out overnight. If you will |
| legislation, while two-thirds say the financial services | | | | be away from home for any period of time: have your |
| industry needs to do a better job of verifying the | | | | home mail delivery stopped. If possible, secure a locked |
| identity of customers who open bank accounts (66 | | | | mail box at your local post office or a retail store mail |
| percent) and credit card accounts (72 percent). | | | | box service for your home mail delivery. |
| Some 5.6 percent of respondents reported being | | | | If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper |
| victims of identity theft, which translates to 12 million | | | | delivery stopped and arrange to have your yard |
| people. When debit and credit card fraud and identity | | | | maintained. Include the post office, newspaper service, |
| theft were combined, close to 15.9 percent of | | | | and your friends or neighbors to insure that your home |
| consumers say they have been the victim of one of | | | | looks as if it is occupied while you are gone. |
| these crimes. (Source: Star Systems, 2003) | | | | For a checklist for your home security while you are |
| For most of us, using your debit or credit card to make | | | | away see – or [ |
| a purchase has become an every day aspect of life. | | | | 8. Write “Check ID” on the back of your |
| Many of us do it every day and feel safe in doing so. | | | | debit or credit cards next to your signature. In that |
| But it is far from safe. People with your debit or credit | | | | way, when a retail store checks your signature on |
| card information may make purchases with your card | | | | your card, they will verify that the card is being used |
| information over the telephone, via the Internet, or at a | | | | by the proper individual. |
| local retail store. | | | | 9. Be aware of people standing too close to you and |
| As we moved to a cashless system of transactions | | | | “shoulder surfing” you while you conduct |
| by debit or credit card, a relatively simple crime niche | | | | your ATM transactions. |
| has grown – identity theft and fraud. | | | | If you do become a victim of an identity crime – |
| Some law enforcement authorities are not pursuing | | | | do the following: |
| the crime in a coordinated and cooperative fashion. | | | | 1. Demand to file a police report no matter how |
| Thus, a situation has grown that affords the people | | | | unwilling the law enforcement office may be. Make |
| who perpetrate such acts of theft and fraud, act with | | | | sure to get a copy or at least the report number. |
| a degree of confidents that they will not get caught. | | | | 2. In the case of card fraud, make sure to cancel your |
| What can you do to reduce your chances of | | | | card and report it as stolen to your credit card |
| becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud? | | | | company as soon as you find out. |
| Here is a list of actions that you can take to avoid | | | | Immediately, fill out affidavits with the appropriate |
| becoming a victim of identity crimes. | | | | financial institution denying that you were the one who |
| 1. Never throw receipts or statements away that have | | | | made the relevant purchases. In most cases, the |
| personal information on them. The trash is the greatest | | | | banks will respond with up to a 30-day process that |
| repository of information for the identity thief. Even | | | | requires the businesses that accepted the fraudulent |
| better, shred everything that has identifying information | | | | transactions to repay the banks. |
| on it (transaction receipts, etc.). | | | | 3. Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus: |
| 2. Pay to have an unlisted telephone number in your | | | | * TransUnion |
| local telephone directory. | | | | Post Office Box 2000 |
| 3. Take as much identification off of your personal | | | | Chester, PA 19022 |
| checks and driver’s license as possible. Thus, no | | | | * Equifax |
| home addresses, phone numbers, or social security | | | | Equifax Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc |
| numbers on personal checks. Last only your last name | | | | Post Office Box 740241 |
| and first initial rather than your full name. You want a | | | | Atlanta, GA 30374 |
| retail clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a | | | | 1.888.766.0008 |
| check. | | | | * Experian |
| Most states now provide a photo ID on all new | | | | Consumer Information |
| automobile drivers licenses issued. If you do not have | | | | Post Office Box 1909 |
| one, conceder getting your licenses renewed now to | | | | Orange, CA 92865 |
| get a photo ID for identification purposes. Do not put | | | | 4. The U.S. Secret Service handles fraud cases that |
| your social security number on your driver’s | | | | cross state borders. If you know that your case |
| license. | | | | applies, contact their local office to make them aware |
| 4. Check your bank accounts for suspicious activity | | | | of your case. If it is part of a broader fraud case, you |
| everyday, this can be done online via the Internet. | | | | may be contacted by an agent. |
| 5. Have your middle initial removed from all public | | | | 5. You can also fill out a complaint form with the |
| documentation if possible. Middle initials help identity | | | | Federal Trade Commission, although this is strictly used |
| thieves narrow down their searches for victims. | | | | to track national identity theft statistics. |