How Do You KNOW if Your Identity’s Been Stolen?

If you know that your personal information has been accessed or otherwise tampered with there are steps you must take to stop the thieves and try to repair the damage. It is important to stay alert to signs that your information is being used without your consent even when you don’t suspect you’ve been a victim.

Staying alert to these signs will help you respond quickly if your identity has been stolen:

• Unfamiliar charges or withdrawals
Always check your bank and credit card statements and make immediate inquiries to unfamiliar charges and withdrawals.

• Missing mail
If your bills and other mail have gone missing a thief may have broken into your mail box or had your mail redirected to a new address.

• Calls from Creditors
If you are being contacted by creditors you did not do business with you need to take immediate action to find out who has.

• New Credit Cards
Receiving new credit cards or bills that you didn’t sign for is a danger sign that your identity may have been stolen.

• Denial of Credit
Unexplained refusal of credit requires investigation on your part. You need to get access to your credit report right away.

Are You at Risk?

If you think you’ve figured out how to keep the thieves out of your personal information you may be surprised at the methods they use to gain access to it. Finding out HOW thieves access your information is the first step in reducing the risk.

Lost or Stolen Wallet

Not surprisingly a person who has had their wallet lost or stolen is at great risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Carrying important documents like your Social Security Number, birth certificate, driver’s license and credit or debit cards in your wallet can give a thief easy access to your personal information.

Missing Mail

If you think you’ve missed a couple bills or know that your mail box has been broken into, your personal information may have been stolen. Credit card bills, offers for credit cards and information that contains personal information or your SSN can be used to gain access to unauthorized credit or to commit fraud in your name.

Garbage

Thinking of throwing the latest credit card offer in the garbage? Clearing out old tax forms or other personal information? Rummaging through the garbage for such information is known as ‘dumpster diving’ and can be an easy source for identity thieves. Your personal garbage isn’t the only source – businesses that collect personal information can also be targeted.


‘Phishing’ or ‘Pretexting’

Online or over the phone there are unscrupulous individuals masquerading as legitimate businesses in an attempt to convince you to pass on personal information for illegal purposes. Any requests to ‘validate account information’ by providing personal information online or over the phone should be questioned.

Businesses or Employees

Employees or businesses that have legitimate access to your personal information may use that information for non-business activities. Identity thieves that work in institutions that contain sensitive personal data may abuse the access they have or even present themselves to you as someone that should have access, such as a landlord or employer.

‘Skimming’

Thieves have access to ‘tools of the trade’ that allow them to steal information from your card at ATM’s or during a card swipe for a purchase. These data storing devices capture your information without your realizing it.

Change of Address

By filling out a form at the post office the identity thief can have your bills and other personal mail diverted to a new address. It may take you a few days to realize what has happened and make the correction.

Spyware

A new threat on the scene is from computer viruses that ‘spy’ on you while you shop or do banking online. Any website that you enter personal information into can be ‘spied on’ putting you at risk.

Unsecured Online Transactions

Online shopping at a site that is not secured can potentially put you at risk of having your information stolen. Websites may also collect and sell some of your information without your knowledge unless their posted Privacy Policy states otherwise.

Break In

Anytime you or a business that has your information is a victim of a break in you may have had personal information stolen.

Personal Computers

Are you storing sensitive passwords on your laptop? Are you throwing out an old computer? If your laptop is stolen or accessed by a thief they may be able to find that information. Old computers may hold information on their hard drives even when you’ve deleted it.

What Identity Theft Can Do To You

We often take our liberties for granted. What you know life to be can suddenly change if you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

While you’ve been busy with your day-to-day life someone could have stolen your personal information and racked up debts or committed fraud – all with your name on it. What happens then can be anything from being denied employment, credit or even being arrested for a crime you didn’t commit.

Identity theft is that serious.

Victims of identity theft can spend years paying back debts or fighting to restore their credit as well as their reputation. Finding out you are a victim of identity theft can be frightening and a source of anxiety even after you’ve resolved the issue.

According to a survey conducted by the FTC (Federal Trade and Commission) 4.6% of Americans involved in the survey responded that they had been a victim of identity theft within the past year. That means about 10 million Americans dealt with some form of identity theft – from using existing credit cards to setting up new accounts or giving false identification when arrested for a crime.

It doesn’t stop there. The cost of clearing up the theft ranged from an average of $500 to $1200 per victim. It took them on average 30 hours to resolve the issue while also costing time and money for businesses and agencies who assist these victims.

With all the tools available to potential thieves along with our increasing reliance on paperless money transfers (credit cards, debit cards and online payments) we are incredibly susceptible to having this nightmare come true.

How can you reduce the risk and what do you do if it happens to you or your family?

How Serious Is Identity Fraud

Imagine waking up one morning. You are on your way to an interview for a new job. Maybe you’re looking to jump up the corporate ladder or perhaps it’s for a second job to help get ahead of the bills. Whatever the case you are optimistic about the day. A friend of yours has given their personal recommendation and you are confident the job is in the bag.

The interview goes well. The interviewer seems pleased with you and you have a good feeling about the offer. While nothing is promised you are more than certain the job is yours as soon as the paperwork is approved.

You finish the interview and stop by the car showroom. It’s looking like a good time to finally get that new car you’ve had your eye on! You’ve been thinking about it for months. The salesperson takes you for a spin and it’s everything you’ve dreamed of – and more!

Stepping back into the showroom the salesperson suggests you sit down. “Grab a cup of coffee and we’ll talk about driving this baby away today!” Sounds good.

Bantering over the paperwork you sit back with a sigh of contentment and put down the pen. “Let’s just check your credit and you should be off in a few minutes” he says. Today is a GREAT day!

As you sit back and gaze at the gleaming cars on the showroom floor you notice the salesperson has become rather silent.

“I’m sorry but it looks like this might not work out right now” he says. You look at him and see a sudden sternness in his eyes. “Really,” you say “why’s that?”

“Well, you’ve got a few things on your credit report that are a concern. I’m afraid this car would be impossible to finance.”

“What do you mean? My credit is fine!” you start to sputter “let me see”.

“I’m not allowed to share your report with you, but maybe in a few months you can come back and look again.”

You head out the door in confusion. You KNEW you could get that car. What was he talking about?

As you open the door to your home you see the message light flashing on your phone. That was fast! The job offer – that will put you back in a good mood!

“…I’m afraid we won’t be able to offer you a position with us right now…” you don’t even hear the rest of the message. WHAT??

Ding-dong. The doorbell. Who could that be?

“Hello, I’m Officer Brown, may we have a word with you…”

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