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Preventing Identity Theft
Often times we don’t care to know about a particular phenomenon occurring in our
society until it hits close to home. Identity theft has been around for a long time,
yet many people have never heard of it. One of the primary reasons its such a
popular crime today is because so many people have credit & debit cards and its
very easy for anyone to use them especially when they become lost or stolen. I chose
to write this article because I have personal friends who have become victims or who
had children who were victims some of them are still attempting to repair their credit.
In this article, I want to share some valuable information, which could possibly
help prevent you or your love ones from becoming victims of Identity Theft.
What is Identity Theft?
Unfortunately, every year a growing number of people in the United States report that
a credit or debit card has been used by someone else. That is the foundation of
identity theft, in other words assuming your identity in order to use your credit or
debit card account information to make fraudulent purchases, or to open new lines of
credit in your name. I was not surprised to learn that college students and senior
citizens fall prey more frequently than other groups.
Many people today use credit and debit cards for most purchases making card account
information much easier to steal. Dishonest sales people, restaurant wait staff and
computer hackers can steal without a victim realizing it is happening. You should
also be aware that there are “Dumpster divers” who may root through your trash, take
discarded credit card receipts and use the information on the receipts to make
purchases in your name, or sell your information to others who will make fraudulent
purchases.
Suddenly, you could become a bad check risk, unable to protect your business, rent
an office, by a car, obtain approval for a mortgage or loan, get telephone service
or even charge purchases. Once identity theft happens, repairing the damage to your
good name and credit can be difficult, sometimes taking years to complete.
No One Is Immune
Anyone with a credit or debit card can be a victim of identity theft. All a dishonest
person needs is your credit or debit card number and your name to charge thousands of
dollars worth of purchases in just hours over the phone or the Internet. You are not
responsible for the cost of fraudulent purchases. . Federal law limits your
responsibility for unauthorized charges to $ 50.00 per credit card and $500.00 per
debit card although some card issuers may waive those fees. Regardless, the real
cost of identity theft is the time you spend canceling cards and bank accounts,
requesting new cards, checking your credit report for problems, and most of all,
figuring out just what should be done to protect yourself and clear your name.
How You Can Help Protect Yourself?
There are many things, some of them very simple that you can do starting today to
protect yourself and your business form identity theft and resulting credit fraud.
Your Mail
- Don’t leave your mail where others can view it.
- Shred or tear up all mail and papers before discarding, epically credit card applications, bank and credit card statements, anything containing a social security number, utility bill and tax returns.
Your Credit & Debit Cards
If you discover you have lost cards due to misplacement or theft, immediately
contact the consumer credit fraud division of all three credit-reporting agencies:
- Experian – 888-397-3742 or 800-301-7195
- CSC Credit Services – 800-272-9281
- Trans Union – 800-680-7289
These credit-reporting agencies will add a fraud security alert to your credit file,
which will detect and document any further attempts to commit fraud by the
perpetrator and assist law enforcement in their investigation. These agencies will
also provide additional instructions to you on resolving your complaint.
Your Social Security Number
- Don’t give out your Social Security number unless it is legally required.
- Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet unless you have to.
- Never put your Social Number on your checks.
Your Phone & Cell Phone
- Don’t give out personal information such as your Social Security number or credit or debit card numbers by phone unless you know the calling party.
- If calling your bank or card issuers to check balances on your cell phone or a public phone in view of others, beware of “ shoulder Surfers” who may be watching you enter your account numbers or listening to your conversation.
The Internet
If you bank online, memorize your passwords and never give anyone access to your
passwords.
Look for participation in security programs such as those from the Better Business
Bureau, “TRUSTe” and others before buying online.
Review the privacy policy section of a Web site before placing an order online.
Never register your personal information on a Web site or share it in a chat room
unless you are sure how it will be used.
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