Frequently, we hear news reports of victims of identity theft and the horrors
related to having their personal information compromised. Recent trends indicate
identity theft is growing faster than any other type of crime.
Once a criminal obtains someone’s personal information they assume that person’s
identity and can empty out their bank accounts, obtain credit in that person’s
name and run up enormous debt. How does one protect themselves from this and
other types of fraud? Here are a few tips:
- Never provide personal information over the phone or Internet unless you
are the one that initiated the call or contact.
- Be sure to review your credit card statements and bank account
statements immediately upon receipt. Don’t hesitate to contact your bank or
credit card issuer to question transactions that appear suspicious.
- Use caution when responding to e-mails received from a bank, credit card
issuer or bank regulatory agency. Many of these are “spoofs”, where
criminals create a fraudulent website that looks just like a valid site
(commonly known as phishing). When the user enters the site, they are asked
for account information and passwords. Using the information provided,
criminals can then access the victim’s accounts. Contact the sender of the
e-mail to verify it is legitimate and ask for the reason the e-mail was
sent.
- Keep all account numbers and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or
other access codes secure. Never write them on your card and keep them in a
secure place separate from your card.
- Review your credit report at least annually. The recently passed Fair
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, or FACT Act allows consumers to obtain
a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every 12
months. Consumer experts recommend ordering one report from each credit
bureau every four months to get periodic updates and maximize your
protection.
Additional information regarding ID Theft, Safe Internet Banking, Phishing,
the FACT Act and other topics can be viewed at the following websites:
Section of the FTC website that offers practical information on a variety of
consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid rip-offs and exercise
your consumer rights.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm
FDIC Consumer News provides practical
guidance on how to become a smarter, safer user of financial services. Each
issue offers helpful hints, quick tips, and common-sense strategies to protect
and stretch your hard-earned dollars.
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/index.html
FDIC Consumer
Alerts
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/index.html
The FDIC has produced a
multimedia presentation to help consumers protect themselves from identity
theft.
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/guard/index.html
FTC's Identity
Theft Website
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Video to help consumers deter,
detect, and defend identity theft.
http://www.vodium.com/MP/MPF/1.1.8/mpf.asp?dataset=pn100311_fh_ftc&eventid=83S99Z4O&majver=7&minver=0&revver=0
