Identity Theft
Identity Theft is when a criminal steals your name and other personal information (such as social security number, employer data, address data, etc....) and takes on your identity, criminally abusing your personal information for various fraudulent purposes (such as credit card fraud, loan fraud, mail fraud, mortgage fraud, misuse of social security number, etc...) .
In other words, loans are taken and crimes are being committed in your name, without your consent nor knowledge. Once you are a victim of identity fraud, you must detect it and take appropriate measures to clear yourself. Otherwise, it can be assumed that such fraudulent activity committed by criminals was actually committed by you, possibly causing you damage such as being liable for loans you never took yourself. Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Theft Detection are an integral part of Identity Theft Protection.
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Video
An FTC provided 10-minute educational video that provides an overview of identity theft and outlines the steps consumers can take
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 | The government, through the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), has dedicated resources for fighting Identity Theft. The FTC has launched a national campaign: Avoid Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend. At the top right of this page, we have provided a link to an FTC produced 10-minute educational video that provides an overview of identity theft and outlines the steps consumers can take.
According to the FTC, "while there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk and minimize the damage if a problem occurs." You can take some of those steps through services offered through Creditlock.com:
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| Key Statistics
• It takes victims an average of 175 hours to clean up their lives after Identity Theft. |
| • Victims of Identity Theft and fraud spend, on average, $2,412 in out-of-pocket expenses to restore their financial standing. |
| • Nearly 90 Million files containing personal information have been compromised since early 2005 when data collection began. |
| • Credit Card fraud comprised 26 percent of Identity Theft complaints in 2005.
Source: Amica/Identity Theft 911, LLC |
For additional information, see Identity Theft Additional Information below, most of which is provided by the FTC. You can also take a look at the FTC provided brochure and video at the end of this page .
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Identity Theft Additional Information
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Question
How do thieves steal your personal information?
Answer
There are many ways thieves will steal your personal information, including, but not limited to, Dumpster Diving, Skimming, Phishing, Changing Your Address, Old-Fashioned Stealing, and sometimes simply by calling you and asking you for information under the cover of a salesperson or survey taker. _______________________________________________________________________
Question
What is Dumpster Diving?
Answer
Dumpster Diving is rummaging through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
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Question
What is Skimming?
Answer
Skimmingt is stealing credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
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Question
What is Phishing?
Answer
Phishing is pretending to be financial institutions or companies and sending spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
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Question
What is Old-Fashioned Stealing?
Answer
Old Fashioned Stealing is stealing wallets, purses, mail, bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, tax information, personnel records from employers (by bribing employees who have access), pretending to be financial institutions or companies and sending spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information, and more.
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Question
How do thieves change your address?
Answer
Thieves change your address by completing a "change of address" form. Then they proceed to divert your billing statements to another location.
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Question
What are some ways you can Deter Identity Theft?
Answer
You can deter Identity Theft (ID Theft) by doing all of the following and more: |   |
A- Shredding personal information documents
For more information on shredding, or to purchase a shredder, click here
B- Protecting social security number
C- Not disclosing personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with and you are sure they will not misuse your information (if you wish, you can add your telephone number to the National Do Not Call List/Registry)
D- Never clicking on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information
E- Not using an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number
F- Keeping your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house
G- More...
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Question
What are some ways I can Detect Identity Theft?
Answer
Some ways you can detect Identity Theft (ID Theft) include but are not limited to routinely monitoring accounts (see Credit Monitoring), billing statements, and your credit report. You should be alert to signs that require immediate attention such as: Bills that do not arrive as expected, unexpected credit cards or account statements denials of credit for no apparent reason, calls or letters about purchases you did not make, charges you did not make, credit card accounts you did not apply for, and any other suspicious activity.
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Question
What are some ways I can Defend against Identity Theft?
Answer
You can defend against Identity Theft (ID Theft) as soon as you suspect it by doing all of the following and more:
A- Locking/Freezing your credit (see Credit Locking)
B- Placing a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports, and reviewing the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742), TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289. Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't
contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain.
C- Closing accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently. Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents. Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement. Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged. Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
D- Filing a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
E- Reporting the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations. Methods of reporting - online: ftc.gov/idtheft , By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261, By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580
F- More...
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Question
How can I learn more about Identity Theft and how to deter, detect, and defend against it?
Answer
You can learn more about Identity Theft (ID Theft) and how to deter, detect, and defend against it, by visiting ftc.gov/idtheft. Or requesting copies of Identity Theft (ID Theft) resources by writing to:
Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130
Washington, DC 20580
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| FTC Deter Detect Defend Brochure |
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Video
An FTC provided 10-minute educational video that provides an overview of identity theft and outlines the steps consumers can take |
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