What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft or identity fraud (true name fraud) is the taking of the victim’s identity to obtain credit, credit cards from banks and retailers, steal money from the victim’s existing accounts, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy or obtain a job using the victim’s name. The impersonator steals thousands of dollars in the victim’s name without the victim even knowing about it for months or even years. Recently criminals have been using the victim’s identity to commit crimes ranging from traffic infractions to felonies.
How Does the Imposter Take Your Identity?
An imposter can use your social security number, your birth date and other identifying information such as your address and phone number and whatever else they can find out about you. With this information, and a false ID with their own picture, they can begin the crime.
Much of the information contained in this brochure was obtained from http://www.identitytheft.org on the Internet. This and other sites are a great reference should you need more information on Identity Theft.
For more information, you may also contact the Dayton Police Department.
Phone 515-547-2624
202 1st SW
Dayton, IA 50530
Identity
Theft
Dayton Police Department
Prevention and Survival
Where Does the Impersonator Get Information About You?
Lots of places- your doctor, accountant, lawyer, dentist, school, place of work, health insurance carrier, and many others have your identifying information. If some criminally minded person is working at the office (or just visiting) and decides to use the information to assume your identity, you would not know it. Also, if this information is not disposed of with a shredder, a “dumpster-diver” could pick up the information and begin the crime against you. You do not need to lose your wallet or have anything tangible stolen from you for someone to take your identity. If you do not shred your confidential information, utility bills, credit card slips and other documents, it is easy to “dumpster dive” your garbage. Much of your information is readily available on the Internet, at courts, and accessible from public documents. Additionally, if someone obtains your credit report illegally, they have all the information necessary to become you.
How Can You Stop the Fraud?
As soon as you are made aware of the fraud (usually a creditor will contact you or you will be denied credit, or you will see charges that are not yours on bills) you must immediately contact the three major credit reporting agencies by phone and letter to put a fraud alert on your credit profile. Get copies of the reports so that you will know which are the fraud accounts and call the police in the county where the fraud occurs. You may not be able to stop the fraud immediately. It is very complex. But this will get you started.
What to do If You are a Victim:
· Damage control! Begin sending fraud alert letters to creditors.
· Ask for credit reports from each of the big three credit bureaus.
· Contact all credit grantors with whom you believe your name may have been used fraudulently. Do this by phone and by letter.
· Carefully monitor your mail and credit card bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity.
· Start a log of all your contacts with authorities and financial institutions, including those you’ve contacted in the steps above.
· Report the incident to the police or sheriff in the area where the crime was indicated.
· Don’t be intimidated! You are not alone, there are about 500,000 victims of this crime nationally each year.
You don’t have to be a victim! While this crime is becoming more common, there are simple steps you can take to keep yourself safe from identity theft.
Prevention Tips:
· Use a shredder to shred important papers when they are no longer needed. Remember pre-approved credit applications received in your name and other financial information that provides access to your private information. Don’t forget to shred your credit card receipts.
· Be careful of “Dumpster Diving”. Make sure that you do not throw away anything that someone could use to become you.
· Be careful at ATMs and using Phone Cards. “Shoulder Surfers” could get your PIN Number and get access to your accounts.
· Get all of your checks delivered to your bank-not your home address.
· Mail checks from a US Mailbox or Post Office, not your home box.
· Pay attention to your credit card expiration dates. If a new one has not arrived in a reasonable time, contact the card company immediately.
· Cancel all cards you have not used in over 6 months.
· Put passwords on your accounts, and not something easy like your mother’s maiden name.
· Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and other ID.
· Memorize social security numbers and passwords.
· Don’t give out personal information over the phone unless you are certain of who you have called. You should never give it to people who call you.
· Only use your credit card on established Internet sites, and only those that use encryption.