Identity Theft: Whats it to Me

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Identity TheftWhats it to Me?
2004
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Identity TheftWhats it to Me?

• What is Identity Theft?
• How ID thieves get your information
• How ID thieves use your information
• How to protect yourself
• What to do if youre a victim of Identity Theft

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What is Identity Theft?

• When someone else uses your personal identifying
  information to obtain
• Credit cards
• Loans
• Mortgages
• Utilities
• Employment
• A place to live

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What is Identity Theft?

• Its more than just credit card fraud
• Ruined credit
• Denied employment
• Denied place to live
• Wages garnished
• Drivers license revoked
• Arrest

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How the ID Thief Gets Your Information

• Stealing your wallet or purse
• Stealing your mail
• Listening to phone conversations
• Shoulder surfing
• Dumpster diving

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How the ID Thief Gets Your Information

• Finding information in your home
• Getting personal information from your work
  place
• Calling or sending mail or e-mail with bogus
  promises

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How Do ID Thieves Use the Information?

• Get new credit cards in your name
• Open bank accounts in your name
• Forge your name on checks or debit cards
• Get loans or mortgages in your name

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How Do ID Thieves Use the Information?

• Get utilities or other services in your name
• File bankruptcy in your name
• Commit crimes in your name

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How Could it Happen to Me?

• I might have no idea that
• it had even happened.

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Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

• Guard your wallet or purse
• Dont carry your Social Security card
• Keep your mail private
• Dont let it pile up if youre away
• Have new checks delivered to your bank, not your
  home
• Dont leave it lying around

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Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

• Be careful with personal information, especially
  in public places
• Use a telephone where you cant be overheard
• Dont use a cell phone to provide personal
  information
• Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder
  when using a PIN number

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Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

• Dont give out personal information over the
  phone, through the mail, or over the Internet
• Dont give out credit card or bank account
  information
• Dont provide or confirm any information
• Companies that you do business with do NOT need
  to ask for your personal information

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Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

• Shred-shred-shred
• Check credit card and bank statements every
  monthand report any fraudulent activity
  immediately
• Check your credit reports every year
• Equifax -- TransUnion
• Experian

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If your identity has been stolen

• Act immediately
• File a police report
• Contact the three credit bureaus
• Use the FTC Affidavit
• Contact your creditors

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If your identity has been stolen

• Stop payment on checks
• Request new ATM cards
• Change your PIN numbers and passwords
• Report it to the FTC 1-877-ID-THEFT

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If your identity has been stolen

• You may also need to notify
• DMV
• IRS
• Passport Office
• Social Security Administration
• US Postal Service
• US Secret Service
• US Trustees Office

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Identity TheftWhats it to Me?

• What is Identity Theft?
• How ID thieves get your information
• How ID thieves use your information
• How to protect yourself
• What to do if youre a victim of Identity Theft

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Identity TheftWhats it to Me?
2004