Identity Theft Exploding: Here's How You Can Avoid Becoming A Victim
Americans are more concerned about identity theft than unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by Star Systems.
Nine out of ten Americans demand new federal legislation, while two-thirds say the financial services industry needs to do a better job of verifying the identity of customers who open bank accounts (66 percent) and credit card accounts (72 percent).
Some 5.6 percent of respondents reported being victims of identity theft, which translates to 12 million people. When debit and credit card fraud and identity theft were combined, close to 15.9 percent of consumers say they have been the victim of one of these crimes. (Source: Star Systems, 2003)
For most of us, using your debit or credit card to make a purchase has become an every day aspect of life. Many of us do it every day and feel safe in doing so.
But it is far from safe. People with your debit or credit card information may make purchases with your card information over the telephone, via the Internet, or at a local retail store.
As we moved to a cashless system of transactions by debit or credit card, a relatively simple crime niche has grown - identity theft and fraud.
Some law enforcement authorities are not pursuing the crime in a coordinated and cooperative fashion. Thus, a situation has grown that affords the people who perpetrate such acts of theft and fraud, act with a degree of confidents that they will not get caught.
What can you do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud?
Here is a list of actions that you can take to avoid becoming a victim of identity crimes.
1. Never throw receipts or statements away that have personal information on them. The trash is the greatest repository of information for the identity thief. Even better, shred everything that has identifying information on it (transaction receipts, etc.).
2. Pay to have an unlisted telephone number in your local telephone directory.
3. Take as much identification off of your personal checks and driver's license as possible. Thus, no home addresses, phone numbers, or social security numbers on personal checks. Last only your last name and first initial rather than your full name. You want a retail clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a check.
Most states now provide a photo ID on all new automobile drivers licenses issued. If you do not have one, conceder getting your licenses renewed now to get a photo ID for identification purposes. Do not put your social security number on your driver's license.
4. Check your bank accounts for suspicious activity everyday, this can be done online via the Internet.
5. Have your middle initial removed from all public documentation if possible. Middle initials help identity thieves narrow down their searches for victims.
6. If someone calls you asking for your personal information on the telephone - do not provide any personal information to anyone over the phone.
7. Don't leave your mail out overnight. If you will be away from home for any period of time: have your home mail delivery stopped. If possible, secure a locked mail box at your local post office or a retail store mail box service for your home mail delivery.
If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped and arrange to have your yard maintained. Include the post office, newspaper service, and your friends or neighbors to insure that your home looks as if it is occupied while you are gone.
For a checklist for your home security while you are away see - www.ProtectionConnect.com/homesecuritychecklist.html or www.ProtectionConnect.com/sitemap.html#home
8. Write "Check ID" on the back of your debit or credit cards next to your signature. In that way, when a retail store checks your signature on your card, they will verify that the card is being used by the proper individual.
9. Be aware of people standing too close to you and "shoulder surfing" you while you conduct your ATM transactions.
If you do become a victim of an identity crime - do the following:
1. Demand to file a police report no matter how unwilling the law enforcement office may be. Make sure to get a copy or at least the report number.
2. In the case of card fraud, make sure to cancel your card and report it as stolen to your credit card company as soon as you find out.
Immediately, fill out affidavits with the appropriate financial institution denying that you were the one who made the relevant purchases. In most cases, the banks will respond with up to a 30-day process that requires the businesses that accepted the fraudulent transactions to repay the banks.
3. Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus:
* TransUnion
Post Office Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
* Equifax
Equifax Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc
Post Office Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
1.888.766.0008
* Experian
Consumer Information
Post Office Box 1909
Orange, CA 92865
4. The U.S. Secret Service handles fraud cases that cross state borders. If you know that your case applies, contact their local office to make them aware of your case. If it is part of a broader fraud case, you may be contacted by an agent.
5. You can also fill out a complaint form with the Federal Trade Commission, although this is strictly used to track national identity theft statistics.
Copyright Steven Presar
About The Author
Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology coach, Internet publisher, author, speaker, and trainer. He provides personal, home, and computer security solutions at www.ProtectionConnect.com. He provides business software reviews at www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he publishes articles for starting and running a small business at www.abcResults.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO newsletter.
MORE RESOURCES:
 Boston Globe | Former Credit Suisse broker arrested in US Swissinfo, Switzerland - A former Credit Suisse broker has been arrested for fraud and conspiracy over deceptive sales of subprime-related auction-rate debt in the United States. ... Former Credit Suisse broker charged with subprime-linked fraud in ... UPDATE 1-FBI arrests ex-Credit Suisse broker Bulgarian Wall Street broker indicted |
S&P cuts O'Charley's credit ratings CNNMoney.com - S&P on Thursday cut the company's corporate credit rating to "B+" from "BB-" and its senior secured credit facility rating to "BB" from "BB+. ... Cut north-west or bust Upstate NY water authority rated AA |
 CEP News | S&P upgrades Raytheon credit ratings 1 notch CNNMoney.com - S&P upgraded the company's long-term corporate credit rating to "A-" from "BBB+." The outlook is "Stable." The Waltham, Mass. ... S&P puts Fifth Third on credit watch Credit rating soars in District 300 Starbucks downgraded to 'BBB' on weakening credit metrics - S&P |
When the Bank Closes Your Credit Account Washington Post, United States - By Joan Goldwasser Q I received a notice from Capital One that it is closing my credit card account because of inactivity. If the company closes the account ... Capital One Spurned Mortgages For Credit Cards - CFO |
The Upcoming Technology of RFID For Contactless Access Control ... MarketWatch - This technology is now being rolled out in the UK and around the World for so called 'BioMetric passports' and credit cards because there are no physical ... |
Credit Crunch: The Sequel U.S. News & World Report, DC - And that certainly seemed to be the case in March when investment bank Bear Stearns became the highest-profile victim of the credit crisis. ... UPDATE 1-US banks' direct borrowing hits record in week UPDATE:Comml Bks Set Record For Avg Discount Window Borrowing The Market: What the Pros Are Saying |
 CBC.ca | Canada bank CEOs see more credit crisis uncertainty Reuters - By Lynne Olver CALGARY, Alberta, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Fallout from the US subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent credit crunch has left nagging regulatory ... Markets still rocky but underlying environment 'benign': Deutsche ... |
 Minyanville.com | As the Credit Strains Linger, Pimco’s Gross Calls for Intervention New York Times Blogs, NY - Banks and businesses are still having trouble raising money, according to data on Thursday that reinforced the prospect that the year-long US credit crisis ... Freaky Friday Potpourri: Help Wanted in Washington! Pimco's Bill Gross hits the panic button 'Financial Tsunami' To Engulf Markets, Says Pimco's Gross |
Credit Suisse appoints India investment banking MD Hindu Business Line, India - MUMBAI: Credit Suisse on Friday announced the appointment of Mr Pankaj Kalra as the Managing Director of its India investment banking department. ... Credit Suisse hires Merrill banker in India Credit Suisse appoints Pankaj Kalra, MD, investment banking Merrill Lynch Hires Dick Barrett and Mark Ellman to Strengthen ... |
 Washington Post | UPDATE 2-Lehman credit spreads widen amid KDB speculation Reuters - Lehman's credit default swaps rose 20 basis points to 345 basis points, or $345000 per year for five years to insure $10 million in debt, from 325 basis ... Credit crunch: Small Korean bank in $6bn bid to rescue Lehman Southpaw: Blood now, pay later: banks get ready for bonus season Lehman nears rescue deal with KDB |
Good Credit is King, When Qualifying for Mortgage Programs
If you want to purchase a new home or refinance your current mortgage, be sure to check out the wide array of loan programs available. If you have less than excellent or even poor credit, you can still qualify for a loan.
Are you paying higher interest on your credit cards than you think?
Many credit card holders sign up for a credit account with an 8.9% interest rate and then later realize that their interest rate has been bumped to 27.
Credit Cards - The Top 3 Things You Need To Know
Today there are so many different credit cards available, student prepaid, low interest cards etc. that it has becomes a real hassle to find the right one that will suit your needs.
Top 5 Reasons To Check Your Credit Report Regularly
#1 Make sure mistakes aren't hurting your credit.Reviewing your credit report can help you avoid costly errors.
Bankruptcy vs. Credit Counseling: What Should I Do?
Credit Counseling and bankruptcy are both ways to relieve the stress of debt. However, they are very different and it is important to understand both before making a decision as to which is best for you.
SuperCharged Secret 3, Credit Card Utopia
TURBO-CHARGED KILLER RATE SAVING INFORMATION!Let's just take a brief moment to recap:If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 2 very important things:You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies.
Understanding the Function of Credit
What is Credit?Credit is the backbone and the engine behind the workings of the economy. Credit simply allows individuals and companies to borrow funds in good faith and pay it back over a specified time frame.
Balance Transfers Can Help You Stop Putting Money Down The Drain!
As you probably know, interest rates are at all time low right now and if you aren't getting the best deal from your credit card company then they owe it to you to either lower your rate, or you owe it to yourself to find a better deal. You see, credit card companies need your business in order to succeed and if you refuse to pay a penny more than you have to then you'll be doing yourself and others a big favour indeed.
Collection Agencies: What Do They Do?
Collection agencies are businesses that collect past-due bills and accounts receivable for other persons or businesses in exchange for a fee. Collection agencies charge for their services one of three ways:1) A flat fee.
10 Simple Steps to Manage Your Credit
By far the greatest invention the banks have ever come up with came out in the 20th century. Also the new field of Credit Management was born with the invention of the credit card.
Check Your Credit Before Shopping For That Home Loan
Review Your Credit Score.Nearly every bank, credit union, and mortgage lender relies on a three digit score provided by one of the three major credit bureaus to help them make lending decisions.
The Three Largest Factors In Your Interest Rate
There are three major factors that affect how much you pay for a loan. Understanding these factors can save you time, money and frustration.
The Exact Action To Take When You Find Errors In Your Credit Report
There are times when you may be turned down for credit and you do not understand why.According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report if you have been denied credit because of negative items on your credit report within 60 days of the request for credit, if you are unemployed but looking for work, are on state benefits, or believe that your credit report is incorrect because of fraud.
Understanding Your Credit Score
When you apply for credit one of the first things almost all credit officers do is check your credit score. Although not all of those officers explained to us what a credit score is, we are all rated according to it and the offers we receive were all dependent on that score.
Compare Credit Card Offers and Reward Yourself
Here's a simple system on how to pay zero interest and get tons of free stuff. Almost everyone uses credit cards.
Bad Checks, Bounced Checks, & NSF Checks
Negotiable instruments like checks and drafts have become an indispensable part of any business transaction today. As a result, it has become increasingly important to safeguard a business against financial losses arising from the receipt of fraudulent or bad checks.
Big Brother Knows Whats in Your Credit Report - How About You?
Whether you are aware of it or not, credit bureaus have been keeping tabs on you and how you use credit. When it's time for you to apply for a mortgage, credit card, or personal loan, your credit report is what lenders look at to decide to approve you or not.
Do You Know Whats On Your Credit Report ?
It is important to know your credit rating for a number of reasons. Believe it or not there may be errors in your credit report, and it is essential that you repair them immediately.
Some Truth About Credit
Credit is currently and has been historically an integral component of our economy. Credit contribute a person's net worth, and financial power.
Searching For A Low Interest Credit Card?
These days, people need to very carefully consider what type of credit card they will carry in their wallets. There are so many options out there, and each individual has different needs.