Identity theft claims millions of victims in the United States every year. Identity theft rings operate from the U.S. or from other countries. They are sophisticated in their methods of stealing personal information and use the information to run up credit card accounts, empty bank accounts and open false accounts. How do these thieves operate, and what can you do if you become a victim of identity theft?
There are many ways people can steal your identity. The most obvious one is stealing your wallet or purse. However, you might not be aware of the other ways:
- Taking your mail from your mailbox
- Sending a fake change of address to the post office to have your mail delivered to an identity thief
- Digging through your garbage can to get old checks, bills, credit card applications, etc.
- Watching you put your ATM number into the machine
- Hacking into your computer to get your account information
- Telephoning you to get personal information by "verifying" an account
- Breaking into your car to get mail, credit cards or other items with account information
- Putting ads into the newspaper for fake loans
- Sending e-mails that purport to be from legitimate companies.
- Order your 3-BUREAU CREDIT REPORT at least once a year
- Pay your bills online
Now that you know some of the ways identity thieves and theft rings operate, what can you do to protect yourself?
- Never carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet unless you need it for a specific purpose on a specific day.
- Keep your Social Security card, credit card applications (pre-approved), credit card or ATM PIN number notifications and extra credit cards or cards you don't use regularly under lock and key in your home.
- Never give out personal information over the phone to someone you don't know. Mortgage companies, credit card companies and banks do not call you for personal information.
- Never click on links in e-mails asking you to "verify" your account information.
- Do not print your driver's license number, social security number, address or phone number on your checks. Verify your information when you write a check by using your driver's license. Pick up your new checks at the bank instead of having them mailed to you.
- Destroy credit card receipts you don't want to keep by shredding them.
If you should become a victim of identity theft, perform the following actions immediately:
- File a report with your local sheriff or police
- Contact all credit card companies
- Call your bank and cancel your accounts
- Call anyone to whom you've written a check that hasn't cleared and explain the situation. Then issue a new check from your new bank account.
- Write any other creditors that may be affected
- Get in touch with the Federal Trade Commision ID theft division and your local BBB to report these thieves.
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