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Identity thieves have become very creative in the uses of your identity.

1. They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your account, running up charges that you are unaware of because you are no longer receiving your statements.

2. They may open a new account in your name, “max out” the card and never pay the bill, leaving the company to report your account as delinquent to the credit bureaus.

3. They may establish telephone or cell phone service in your name.

4. They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on it, or they may drain your existing bank account.

5. They may file for bankruptcy to avoid paying debts they have incurred in your name or to avoid evictions.

6. They may take out a loan to purchase a vehicle in your name.

7. They may use a fake driver’s license using your name with their picture on it for identification.

8. They may give your name to the police when arrested, then never show up for the court date.

9. They may use your identity to collect insurance or medical benefits.

10. They may use your identity to collect on your social security, disability or Medicare benefits.

Answers to “Are You A Potential Victim of Identity Theft”

1. Your Social Security Number is one of your most valuable pieces of personal information.  Using it on anything other than financial or Social Security benefits can compromise your number.  Use your SSN only in cases where it is required by law, or if the service provided which needs the number is essential.

2. If you do not want to pay to have your name removed from the phone directory, use your initials, along with your last name, and ask the telephone company to remove your address.  Most telephone companies do not charge for this service.

3. Leaving your registration and proof of insurance cards in your vehicle allows anyone breaking into or stealing your vehicle to know 2 pieces of information: your name and address.

4. Leaving your garage door opener in your vehicle (along with a copy of your registration) gives the thief a “front door key” to your home since your address is on the registration.

5. Using a fanny pack for shopping allows you to shop without worrying about leaving your purse unattended in a shopping cart, gym locker or car.

6. A purse left in the shopping cart is an opportunity for a thief to reach into it for your wallet, credit cards, cash, etc.

7. Arizona is at the top in statistics for mail theft.  The Post Office has closed off many outgoing mail slots in cluster boxes and suggests using only the blue boxes at the post office or shopping centers.

8. Gel ink saturates the paper of the check and is not easily “washed” out.

9. Shredding all credit card offers and financial offers before disposing of them prevents the ID thief from using your credit history to open a new account in your name, but at an address of their choice.

10. Unsigned credit cards are basically invalid.  Signing the card also puts your signature on the card rather than the thief’s version of your signature, making it easier to spot a forgery.

11. To be secure from outside infiltration, a wireless network must have adequate firewall and encryption protection.

12. On-line banking can be secure, if not more so, than using checks if the computer and the websites used have adequate encryption (128 bit).  Using the bank to pay bills rather than going to individual sites to make payments protects your account number.

13. Purchases made on-line with a credit card gives you a paper trail of to whom and when the payment was made.  Making sure the site has a “lock” and using a low credit limit lessens the risk of a large loss.

14. Most emails asking for personal information are bogus.

15. Before giving your credit card number to a person who has called you requesting a donation, take the time to check to make sure the charity is legitimate through the state’s attorney general or online at www.guidestar.org.

16. Every time you use your credit card you are at risk for credit card fraud.  By law, stores and restraints now “truncate” your copy of the receipt showing only the last 4 digits of your card number.

17. Completing an entry form at an expo or contest gives your personal information to one more source who will probably turn around and sell it.

18. Stealing the use of medical insurance has become big business.  Checking payments made for the year can prevent someone from using your coverage.

19. The theft of Social Security Numbers can happen to anyone of any age.  It can ruin your credit, prevent you from being able to obtain a loan or keep you from obtaining SSN benefits, and get you into trouble with the IRS.

20. A check of your credit through all three main credit bureaus at a minimum of once a year will help you catch any unauthorized use earlier and keep your credit from becoming compromised.

Appendix

-= Sample letter to dispute information found on a Credit Report. * =-

Date

Name (Name Listed on the Credit Report)

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Complaint Department

Name (Credit Bureau)

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am a victim of identity theft.  I am writing to request that you block the following fraudulent information in my life.  This information does not relate to any transaction that I have made.  The items also are circled on the attached copy of the report I received.  (Identify items to be blocked by name of sources, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.)

Enclosed is a copy of the law enforcement report regarding my identity theft.  Please let me know if you need any other information from me to block this information from my credit report.

Sincerely,

Name

Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing.)

-= Sample Dispute Letter – For Existing Accounts =-

Date

Name (Name of Account Holder)

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Name (Creditor, Credit Card Company, etc.)

Billing Inquiries

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madame:

I am writing to dispute a fraudulent (charge or debit) on my account in the amount of $_______.  I am a victim of identity theft, and I did not make this (charge or debit).  I am requesting that the (charge be removed or the debit reinstated), that any finance or other charges related to the fraudulent amount be credited, as well, and that I receive an accurate statement.

Enclosed are copies of the (use this sentence to describe any enclosed information, such as a police report) supporting my position.  Please investigate this matter and correct the fraudulent (charge or debit) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Name

Enclosures: (List what is being enclosed.)

*”Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft”, June 2005.

Resources

ABC Channel 15, Phoenix, AZ, The Investigators brochure, “Identity Theft Safety Guide”.  www.abc15.com

Federal Trade Commission:   1-877-FTC-HELP

Federal Trade Commission Publications:

        “Building a Better Credit Report”. July 2002

        “ID Theft: What Is It All About,” June 2005

        “Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft”, June 2005

        “When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name,” November 2003.