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IDENTITY THEFT AND PROTECTION
-What is Identity Theft
-Protecting Yourself
-Identity Theft Resources
-Identity Theft Monitoring Protection
-Opt-Out Services
The FTC recorded 214,905 cases of identity theft
in 2003, up from 161,836 in 2002. If you have ever had your identity
stolen, then you know first hand what terror you go through. Someone
has literally assumed your identity and is trailing a long history
of credit card abuse and personal information all over the Internet,
to your creditors and possibly worse. Enjoy the feeling
of security knowing that your credit
report is accurate.
Theft of identity is on the rise. Often the
first notice consumers get that someone has fraudulently assumed
their identity is either a call from a collection agency demanding
payment on an overdue credit account which they never opened or
when their own monthly billing statements do not arrive in the
mail and they find out the address on their account has been changed
by an identity thief. Most victims never learn how the identity
thieves accessed their personal identifying information.
Minimize Your Risk
In the course of a busy day, you may write a check at the grocery
store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail your tax
returns, call home on your cell phone, order new checks, or apply
for a credit card. Everyday transactions that you may never give
a second thought to are an identity thief's bread and butter. Each
of these transactions requires the sharing of personal information:
your bank and credit card account numbers; your income, Social Security
number and name, address and phone numbers, to name a few. While
you can't prevent identity theft, you can minimize your risk by
managing your personal information wisely.
Catching Identity Theft Early
Sometimes an ID thief can strike even when you've been very careful.
One of the best ways to catch identity theft is to regularly check
your credit record. Order your credit report from each of the three
major credit bureaus each year and make sure all the information
is correct. Also, follow up with creditors if your bills do not
arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity
thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing
address to cover his tracks.
Identity Theft Resources
| -Avoiding
Identity Theft |
| Shred
all credit card receipts and solicitations, canceled checks
and financial documents before throwing away. |
| Check
your credit card statements and immediately report unauthorized
purchases. |
| Don’t
give out your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name,
or any account information over the phone, unless you are sure
the caller is legitimate. |
| Never
include your Social Security number on personal checks. |
| Do
not allow sales clerks to copy your credit card numbers on to
checks for additional information. |
| Call
your credit card company if your card has expired and you have
not received a new one. |
| Carry
only a few credit cards with you. |
| Never
write down Pins and passwords: memorize them. |
Opt out Services From Telemarketing
You've probably been on the other end of all those solicitations
ending up in your email, mailbox and phone calls. Those offers can
really pile up and are extremely annoying to many people. There
is a way to reduce your bulk mail advertisements. There are three
lists to opt out from. There is opting out from telephone, email
and mail. The Directory below supplies you with the information
to "Opt Out"
DMA - DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION
Opting out by phone
-Telephone Services
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735
212-768-7277
Opting out by mail
-Mail Service
PO Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014
Opt out by email
www.e-mps.org
The Credit Bureaus
There are three national credit bureaus. Experian, Equifax and
Trans Union. These credit bureaus share your personal information
with telemarketers, insurance companies and financial services companies.
You can opt out with these companies as well simply by calling the
designated phone number.
Opt out from the credit bureaus
1-888-567-8688
Opting out from other directories
There are several other directories that carry information about
you especially if you are listed in any phone book, voter's registration
or if you're a homeowner.
Haines Criss Cross
1-800-562-8262
To opt out by mail use this simple letter.
To: List Service
Date: today's date
To whom it may concern,
I am aware that I am listed in your directory.
At my request, please remove my name from these lists effective
immediately. Below is the information you need to complete my request.
Your full name:
Your current address:
Previous mailing address:
Your signature:
Laws governing Identity Theft
Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act of 2002
FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed Credit Report Rule
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (HR 2622)
Credit Repair Organizations Act
Electronic Fund Transfer Act
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
Fair Credit Reporting Act
Identity Theft And Assumption Deterrence Act
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Do
it yourself credit repair and debt collector strategies