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Identity Theft
What is identity theft?
Identity theft is when a person steals personal information, such as
their name, address, birth date, Social Security number, passport
information or mother's
maiden name from another person in order to commit fraud. The thief
then uses this information to impersonate the victim and take over
their financial identity. With a relatively small amount of
information criminal can taking over banking, insurance or
investment accounts, open new bank accounts, purchase automobiles,
apply for loans and credit cards, receive Social Security benefits,
rent apartments, and even establish utility and phone company
services, all under the stolen identity.
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How do identity thieves get personal information?
While there is much in the media about internet based identity theft, there are lots of ways your personal information can be stolen, many of them much easier than internet theft.
- Stealing your wallet, purse, or checkbook.
- Removing mail from your mailbox, both incoming or outgoing.
- Going through your trash to find statements and receipts.
- Phishing - Obtaining information by email scams or fraudulent websites.
- Hacking – Illegally gaining access to a computer where personal information is stored.
- Social Engineering- Simply tricking the victim into giving out personal information
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Who is an identity thief?
Contrary to what many people think, identity thieves are not always
sinister villains looking for victims. In fact, many studies
show that a significant portion of identity theft actually occurs by
people the victim knows and trusts.
- Opportunity criminals who ‘chance’ upon your personal information
- Organized criminals who actively seek victims
- Husbands and wives who use their spouses information to open accounts to take money
- Roommates
- A person you meet at a party who has lots of questions about your personal life
- Parents who use a child’s identity
- Children who use a parent’s identity
- Housekeepers, contractors or others who have access to your home
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What do I do if I think I am a victim of
Identity Theft?
- Immediately contact the fraud division of the credit reporting agencies and request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file. Ask that no new credit be granted without your approval. T
- Notify the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- Notify all of your creditors of the fraud.
- File a report with your local law enforcement authority. You should never send originals of your documentation -- always make copies.
- Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-438-4338. The FTC is the clearinghouse for identity theft complaints. They provide information to help resolve financial problems that result from identity theft.
- The FTC provides an ID Theft Affidavit which you should complete as soon as possible after you become aware of the fraud. Completing this affidavit can help protect you from responsibility for fraudulent charges on your accounts.
- Keep detailed records of all events once you determine that your identity has been stolen. Include names, telephone numbers, and the date and time you made contact with individuals or companies requesting assistance in recovering your good name.
Learn More about Identity Theft
Visit these links if to learn more about identity theft.
| US FTC site provides information on deterring, detecting and defending against Identity Theft | |
| Identity Theft Resource Center | A nonprofit organization dedicated to understanding and preventing identity theft by providing consumer and victim support and public education |
| Collaboration between UK financial bodies, government and police to combat the threat of identity theft. |
