About Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft?

Identity Theft, or identity fraud, refers to all types of crimes in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses the personal information of another in such a way that involves fraud or deception, usually for financial gain.

Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America and other countries around the world.

Your personal data such as your social security number, your bank account or credit card number, telephone calling card number, and other valuable identifying data, including your date of birth, can be used by the wrong persons to personally profit at your expense. Using such information, unauthorized persons can not only wreak havoc with an individual's personal finances but can even take over their identity altogether amassing enormous debts and even committing criminal acts in the name of their victims.

The results to victim's lives can be devastating both financially and emotionally and can take years to recover.

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How does it happen & how can I prevent it from happening to me?

Many people do not realize how easily their personal data can be obtained nor how much information we make available to trusted strangers in the course of a single day. Some of the ways that your information can be readily obtained are as follows:

Social Engineering is a term long used by investigators and even hackers to describe the practice of convincing a victim to provide desired information, usually over the telephone, by means of deception. For instance, someone may call to tell you that you've won a prize in a non-existent contest but in order to collect your prize they require your social security number or other personal data.

Mailbox theft is one favourite way to obtain personal information. This practice is exactly what it sounds like with perpetrators going through your personal mail and/or taking letters that belong to you. Applications for 'pre-approved' credit cards can be easily retrieved and used by unauthorized persons if you do discard them without first tearing them up. This practice can be prevented by simply using a lock on your mailbox to prevent tampering.

Another method is 'dumpster diving' or sifting through the trash at homes and offices. Discarded papers and letters often contain far more personal information than you might think. Some information that is often available via this method includes bank and credit card statements, 'pre-approved' credit card applications, and even your telephone bill. The best way of preventing such misuse of your information is through the use of a shredder. Personal shredders are very inexpensive and can be a worthwhile preventative measure.

Recently, the internet has become an especially appealing place for criminals to obtain personal information such as passwords, account or credit card numbers or other information about others. People will often offer identifying information to others online without even realizing it.

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If you are a victim of Identity Theft

Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus (telephone numbers listed below) and report that your identity has been stolen. Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.

For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security departments of the appropriate creditors or financial institutions. Close these accounts. Put passwords (not your mother's maiden name or your SSN) on any new accounts you open.

File a report with your local police or the police where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company, or others require proof of the crime.

Call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). The FTC puts your information into a secure consumer fraud database and may, in appropriate instances, share it with other law enforcement agencies and private entities, including any companies about which you may complain.

The FTC has also developed the ID Theft Affidavit, a form you can use to alert companies where a new account was opened in your name. The company can then investigate the fraud and decide the outcome of your claim. You can find a list of some of the companies and organizations that accept or endorse the ID Theft Affidavit at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Other resources can be found at http://www.cyberangels.org/idtheft/resources.html, such as contact information for credit bureaus and different government agencies to help protect you.

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All content provided by Guardian Angels: Cyberangels Program, for more information, please visit the Cyberangels website at http://www.cyberangels.org