If You Are Me, Then Who Am I?

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If You Are Me, Then Who Am I?

• Tips on Identity Theft Prevention

California Office of Privacy Protection
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What is identity theft?

• Identity theft is taking someones personal
  information .
• Credit card number
• Bank account number
• Drivers license number
• Social Security number
• Medical information
• Etc.
• Without permission

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What is identity theft?
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• and using it for an unlawful purpose.
• Opening credit accounts
• Making charges on an existing account
• Getting medical care
• Providing identity on arrest

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How Often Does It Happen?

• 9.9 million in 2008 1 victim every 19 seconds
• Ages 18-24 most likely to be victims

Source Javelin Research Strategy, 2/09
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Consequences of ID Theft

• Clearing up identity theft is a pain.
• It can take 40 hours or more for an identity
  theft victim to clear up his or her situation.

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Consequences of ID Theft

• Having your identity stolen can prevent you from
• Getting college loans, car loans, and credit
  cards
• Renting an apartment
• Getting a job

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DONT BE THE NEXT VICTIM!

• What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

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6 Degrees of Identity Theft

• Sure, you trust your roommate or study group
  classmate.
• But what about their friends?

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Clean Your Room!

• Keep bills, bank statements, and ID cards out of
  sight.

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Protect Your SSN The Key to ID Theft

• Dont carry your Social Security card or anything
  with your Social Security number in your wallet
  or bag.

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Review Your Bills Right Away

• Open your credit card bills and bank statements
  when they arrive and read them carefully.
• Report problems promptly.

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Stop Pre-Approved Credit Offers

• 49 of college students receive credit
  applications daily or weekly.
• Nearly 30 throw them out without shredding.
• ID thieves can use them in your name.
• STOP pre-approved credit offers!
• Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT or go to www.optoutprescreen.c
  om

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Use a Cross-Cut Shredder

• Shred documents before discarding
• Bills with account numbers
• Bank statements

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• Organized criminal groups are after personal
  information.

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Malware
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Malware Can Steal Your ID
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• Malware Trojan Horses, Key Loggers can steal
  your information from your computer.
• Key loggers capture everything you type.
• Trojan horse software has hidden scripts that
  change, destroy or steal information.

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Beware of free software bearing gifts!
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81 of home computers lack basic security
protections.
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Protect Your Computer

• Use an Internet firewall.
• Keep your operating system browser up to date.
• Install anti-virus anti-
  spyware software.
• Keep it up to date.

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Dont Do Your Banking Where You Have Your Coffee

• Free wireless may not be secure.
• Avoid exposing personal information in public
  hot spots.

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Beware of Phishing Emails
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Dont Get Hooked by a Phish

• Dont give out your personal information unless
  you initiated the contact.

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Credit Reports

• Businesses report your payment history to credit
  bureaus.
• Equifax, Experian TransUnion
• Businesses check your credit report before
  letting you
• Get a credit card or a loan
• Buy insurance
• Rent an apartment
• Get a job

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Review Your Credit Reports

• Starting at age 18, order your reports at least
  once a year.
• One FREE credit report from EACH credit bureau
  each year.
• Call 1-877-322-8228 or go to www.annualcreditrepor
  t.com.

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What to Look For

• ACCOUNTS Look for accounts you dont recognize.
• INQUIRIES Look for inquiries you didnt ask
  for.
• PERSONAL INFORMATION Look for addresses where
  youve never lived, other names, other other
  Social Security numbers.

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What if you think youre an ID theft victim?

• Contact the California Office of Privacy
  Protection!

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1-866-785-9663 www.privacy.ca.gov