Identity TheftIdentity Theft

The Dangers Involved and How It The Dangers Involved and How It Affects You!Affects You!

What is Identity Theft?What is Identity Theft?

Stealing another’s personal identification Stealing another’s personal identification numbers for fraudulent purposes.numbers for fraudulent purposes.

Accessed From:Accessed From:

-Social Security cards-Social Security cards

-Drivers license-Drivers license

-Credit Cards-Credit Cards

The Two Main Threats!The Two Main Threats!

True Name TheftTrue Name Theft: :

-Used to open new accounts-Used to open new accounts

Account Takeover Theft:Account Takeover Theft:

-Thief uses the information to access -Thief uses the information to access existing accounts.existing accounts.

Here’s How Its Done!Here’s How Its Done!

Eavesdropping (Shoulder surfing)Eavesdropping (Shoulder surfing)Stealing Mail (Dumpster Diving)Stealing Mail (Dumpster Diving)Using personal identification from a Using personal identification from a

computer (hacking)computer (hacking) Impersonating a company through Impersonating a company through

electronic communication (phishing)electronic communication (phishing)

How Does Identity Theft Affect How Does Identity Theft Affect You?You?

Convincing credit report agencies that you Convincing credit report agencies that you are a victim of identity theftare a victim of identity theft

Little support from law agenciesLittle support from law agenciesEmotional damageEmotional damageDebtDebt It may take months to convince creditors It may take months to convince creditors

and even longer to return to normal.and even longer to return to normal.

How Can You Protect Yourself?How Can You Protect Yourself?

Dispose of charge receipts and bank statements Dispose of charge receipts and bank statements safelysafely

Try not to use your SS# if possible when Try not to use your SS# if possible when providing information. providing information.

Carry only the credit cards you REALLY need!Carry only the credit cards you REALLY need! When using PIN numbers, avoiding using When using PIN numbers, avoiding using

birthdays, the last four digits of SS#, or your birthdays, the last four digits of SS#, or your phone number.phone number.

Check your credit report! Check your credit report!

It Could Happen to You!It Could Happen to You! (1997) A lady in Maryland was called from Nations Bank (1997) A lady in Maryland was called from Nations Bank

in Texas (now Bank of America) who were demanding in Texas (now Bank of America) who were demanding that she pay a payment for a Jeep Cherokee that she that she pay a payment for a Jeep Cherokee that she never purchased. She explained that she has never never purchased. She explained that she has never lived in Texas, but only resided there for a short period of lived in Texas, but only resided there for a short period of time while she was on active duty, where at that time she time while she was on active duty, where at that time she opened an account with the bank. Mysteriously, a thief opened an account with the bank. Mysteriously, a thief accessed her account, later opening 33 fraudulent accessed her account, later opening 33 fraudulent accounts at a total of $113,000. It took 6-8 hours a day accounts at a total of $113,000. It took 6-8 hours a day calling credit agencies, trying to prove that she was a calling credit agencies, trying to prove that she was a victim of identity theft. The law provided no help. It took victim of identity theft. The law provided no help. It took over a year to clear all fraud accounts. The problems did over a year to clear all fraud accounts. The problems did not end there. So far, she has dealt with 14 collection not end there. So far, she has dealt with 14 collection agencies. The end is nowhere in sight. agencies. The end is nowhere in sight.