As many as 750,000 or more Americans are victims of identity theft each year, and experts say that number is growing. The top three culprits who are trying to steal your identity and trying to unlawfully gain access to your money are;

• “dumpster divers” – people who actually jump into dumpsters searching through trash to find documents with account numbers, social security  numbers, drivers license numbers and other information
• “shoulder surfers” -- people who look over your shoulder to glimpse your PIN numbers while you stand at an ATM, for example. This problem is getting worse with the advent of cell phones which are capable of photography.

Mail thieves – people who break into a private mailbox and steal social security and other checks, and/or private information such as account numbers, social security numbers, etc.

It is critical to one’s financial health to guard against identity theft. There is no 100% fool-proof method, but if you take some protective measures now, you’ll significantly increase the likelihood that you can protect your personal information.

How to Protect Yourself and Avoid Becoming a Victum of Identity Theft

• DESTROY PRIVATE RECORDS AND STATEMENTS – shred or tear credit card statements, credit card and other types of written solicitations, pre-approvals, and any other documents that contain your personal financial information
• SECURE YOUR MAIL. Don’t include account numbers on the outside of the credit card billing envelopes. Don’t send outgoing mail by placing it in your mailbox for your mail carrier to retrieve. Put a lock on your mailbox so that no one can take your personal mail when you’re not around.
• PROTECT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!! Do not carry your card with you in case your wallet gets lost or stolen. Don’t put your social security number on your checks. If you do give it out, be sure you know you are dealing with a reputable business.
• DON’T LEAVE A PAPER TRAIL. Don’t leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind.
• NEVER LET YOUR CREDIT CARD OUT OF YOUR SIGHT. There is a new scamming device called a skimmer which allows a thief to quickly create a duplicate card.
• REMOVE YOURSELF FROM MARKETERS’ LISTS. Contact 1.888.5.OPT.OUT and request that your name be removed from these lists.
• BE MORE PROACTIVELY DEFENSIVE ABOUT YOUR INFORAMTION. If a salesperson asks you for your SSN or Drivers License Number ask if it is really necessary and why.
• MONITOR YOUR CREDIT REPORT AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR TO CHECK FOR ERRORS AND POSSIBLE FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY.  Many people are not even aware they are victims of identity theft until they go to try to get a loan or mortgage and are denied.
• REVIEW YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS CAREFULLY. Be sure you recognize all purchases and services noted.
• PHOTOCOPY YOUR CREDIT CARDS ON FRONT AND BACK; KEEP THE COPIES IN A SAFE LOCATION AT Home. In case the cards are ever lost or stolen, you will know quickly which creditors to contact in case of loss or theft.
• Write “CHECK PHOTO ID” in permanent ink on the signature line of your credit cards. This way when you go to use your credit card, the store clerk will have to view a picture of you on a piece of identification which will ensure that you are who you say you are.

 What to do if You Are A Victum of Identity Theft

According to Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, you now only have to call one of the 3 credit bureaus to report that you have been a victim of identify theft. Their fraud hotlines are listed below:

• Equifax         1.800.525.6285
• Experian       1.888.397.3742
• TransUnion   1.800.680.7289

* The credit bureau will put a fraud alert on your credit reports. This means that you will be notified any time someone is trying to open up a new account using your name – even if it is you yourself. This will delay your ability to open a legitimate account, but it is well worth it, to avoid further fraudulent activity. The fraud alert will stay in your file for 90 days. You may get an extended alert which will stay in your file for seven years. For further information visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Placing a fraud alert will also entitle you to a free credit report. It is suggested that you wait one month or so before requesting your credit report, because it can take a little time for other fraudulent activity to appear.

You should also file a police report. Get a copy of the police report and send it to creditors and others which may require proof of the crime.

Contact all creditors, advise them of the situation and request new credit cards with different account numbers.

You also have the right to ask that the credit bureau block information which you believe results from identify theft. In order to do this, you must provide proof of your identity and a copy of your identity theft report.

The FTC has developed an Identity Theft Affidavit to make it easier for you to report information to all the companies who must be notified about activity done in your name fraudulently. Please refer to the FTC website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf for more information.

File a complaint with the FTC, which maintains a database of identity theft cases. Go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft or call 1.877.ID.THEFT.

Keep records of everything you have done with regard to the identity theft, including all correspondence and a phone log.  Keep the record for several years, because it is not unusual to believe that everything has been cleared up, only to see another unexpected fraudulent activity pop up again.

You are only responsible for $50 of charged goods and services in a fraud case. Most creditors will even waive that with solid proof that you have been a victim.

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