IDENTITY THEFT

IDENTITY THEFT

(adapted from TDBank WOW! Zone)

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is when a person acquires and then uses your name (and address,

Social Security Number, etc.) in order to apply for a credit card in your name or

purchase products in your name.

	How does your identity get stolen?	What can you do to avoid it?
1.	Dumpster Diving: going through a person’s or household’s trash to look for credit card offers, bills, bank account numbers, pay stubs, anything with Social Security numbers, birth dates, bank or credit account number, or other personal information.
2.	Skimming: stealing credit card numbers with a small hand-held unit that can store your credit card number with a quick swipe of your card.
3.	Phishing: pretending to be a legitimate financial institution, government agency, or company though an e-mail, a pop-up message, a text message, etc. electronic communication such as e-mail or text messaging. They do this to get your passwords, credit card or bank account information, or other personal information.
4.	Changing your address: Completing a change of address card at the Post Office to defer your mail to another location other than your home. Or hacking into your e-mail or online accounts to change your address or steal your personal information.
5.	Stealing: stealing mail from a person’s U.S. postal service mailbox, or stealing your mailed Income Tax Return; stealing wallets or purses; bribing employees who have access to employee personnel records.
6.	Other:

 What can someone do with your information?

· Someone could withdraw money from your bank account using a debit card or credit card in your name.

· Your credit score could drop if you exceed your credit limit.

· You have to take the time and go through the expense of cancelling accounts, getting

What to do if you are a victim of Identity Theft

· Go to:  http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

·  Report the identity theft to the 3 credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

· File a police report with local law enforcement.

· Report the theft to the FTC online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or by phoning 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338).

How to avoid Identity Theft:

· Shred financial documents and all information with your personal information.

· Do not carry around your Social Security Card in your wallet.

· Do not give out personal information over the phone or over the internet

unless you are absolutely sure who you are dealing with.

· Choose computer and electronic passwords with care by avoiding birth

dates, your Social Security Number, your mother’s last name, etc.

· Try not to have your mail pile up in your mailbox for several days; if

you are going to be away for a few days, have your mail held at the post

office until you return.

· Do not click on suspicious links in e-mail or complete forms with your

account number and password. Check the web address.

· Be suspicious about regular bills that do not arrive on time, denials of

credit for no apparent reason, calls or letters about purchases you did not

make, charges on your financial statements that you do not recognize.

· Use a password to access your mobile devices such as your cell phone,

tablet (iPad), etc., just as you would have a password to get access to

your e-mail accounts.

· Freeze your credit.