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Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Published Mar 14, 2006
(Updated Dec 26, 2006)
Know the Top 10 Sources of Identity Theft
Mail theft
Dumpster diving
Unscrupulous employees
Stolen or lost wallets
Internet fraud
Burglary (home, vehicle, documents, computer files, etc.)
Friends or relatives
Phone scams
Unethical use of public documents
Shoulder surfing at ATM's, computers, etc.
Safeguard Your Identity
Attorney Mari Frank knew something was terribly wrong as soon as her bank called regarding an outstanding $11,000 bill she knew nothing about. "I was really frightened," she says. "I didn't know what to do." Frank regained her wits and immediately phoned the three major credit agencies to tell them a fraudulent account had been opened in her name. She learned that an imposter had stolen $50,000 in her name -- and purchased a red convertible Mustang to boot.
The identity thief had worked as a secretary at a law firm and accessed Frank's credit report from an online subscription service. Almost one year after that first phone call -- and hours of detective work, letter writing and telephone calls later -- Mari Frank had her good name and credit back. But the experience changed her life forever. She continues to practice law, but she now also serves as a privacy consultant and has written books From Victim to Victor: A Step-by-Step Guide for Ending the Nightmare of Identity Theft and the Identity Theft Survival Kit.
"Identity Theft is an epidemic," Frank says, "affecting about 900,000 people a year." According to The U.S. Federal Trade Commission, it costs the average victim more than $1000 to cope with the damages of identity theft. Thieves steal identities for financial gain (even using your resume to get a job!), to avoid prosecution or even exact revenge. They use your personal information to obtain credit and service in your name. "It's crucial to control your personal information," Frank says.
Prevent Identity Theft
Take these five important steps today to protect your name, credit and reputation:
REVIEW YOUR CREDIT REPORT from each of the three credit agencies twice per year. See if there are accounts or addresses you don't recognize. Is your social security number correct? Have there been more credit inquiries than normal? Any of these can be early signs of identity theft. If you find something suspicious on your credit report, call the agency's fraud hotline immediately. You also may want to add a consumer fraud alert, which asks creditors to telephone you each time a new account is opened in your name.
LIMIT THE USE OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER -- this can aid a thief the most. Never give it to someone who calls you on the phone, don't carry the card in your wallet and never print it on your checks.
SHRED IMPORTANT PAPERS -- especially credit card solicitations -- with a crosscut shredder. Some identity thieves piece cut papers back together.
DON'T USE YOUR MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME as a password on personal accounts; it's too easy to learn. Change it to another word with creditors.
SAFEGUARD CHECK USE. When writing checks to pay credit card accounts, don't put the complete account number on the "for" line. Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home number.
Don't Be A Victim... Save this information with your important papers:
If you suspect identity fraud, contact your local police station (laws vary), the three credit agencies listed below and the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
EQUIFAX
To report fraud: 888-766-0008 To order your credit report:800-685-1111 www.equifax.com
TRANSUNION
To report fraud: 800-888-4213 To order your credit report:800-888-4213 www.transunion.com
EXPERIAN
To report fraud: 888-397-3742 To order your credit report:888-397-3742 www.experian.com
To learn more about identity theft, visit:
To learn more about adding identity theft coverage to your homeowner's insurance, contact Mitzi Keithly at 678-513-1864.
Mitzi Keithly, Sales Representative
Liberty Mutual
Auto.Home.Life
(678) 513-1864
