Preventing Identity Theft and what to do if your Identity is compromised
Derek Greene, Alexia Reiber, Martin Chow, Ainhi Nguyen
Preventing Identity Theft
Take steps to protect yourself from identity theft:
- Secure your social security number. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or write your number on your checks. Only give out your social security number (SSN) when absolutely necessary.
- Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (your name, birthdate, social security number, or bank account number) by phone, mail, or online.
- Watch out for “shoulder surfers.” Shield the keypad when typing your passwords on computers and at ATMs.
- Collect mail promptly. Ask the post office to put your mail on hold when you are away from home.
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender.
- Review your receipts. Ask for carbon copies and incorrect charge slips as well. Promptly compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions.
- Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired cards, to prevent “dumpster divers” from getting your personal information.
- Store personal information in a safe place at home and at work.
- Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your home computer.
- Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess easily. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases.
- Order your credit report once a year and review to be certain that it doesn't include accounts that you have not opened. Check it more frequently if you suspect someone has gained access to your account information.
What to do right away if your identity is compromised
Step 1:
a. Call the companies where you know fraud occurred. b. Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity. c. Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree. d. Change logins, passwords, and PINS for your accounts.
Step 2
a. Contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two. Equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance 1-888-766-0008 Experian.com/fraudalert 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion.com/fraud 1-800-680-7289
A fraud alert is free. It will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You'll get a letter from each credit bureau. It will confirm that they placed a fraud alert on your file.
b. Get your free credit report right away. Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 c. Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction you don't recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police.
Step 3
a. Complete the FTC’s online complaint form. Give as many details as you can. The complaint form is not available on mobile devices, but you can call 1-877-438-4338 to make your report.
Based on the information you enter, the FTC complaint system will create your Identity Theft Affidavit. You’ll need this to complete other steps.
b. Print and save your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit immediately. Once you leave the page, you won’t be able to get your affidavit.
Do you need to update your affidavit? Call 1-877-438-4338.
Step 4
a. Go to your local police office with
- a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit
- a government-issued ID with a photo
- proof of your address (mortgage statement, rental agreement, or utilities bill)
- any other proof you have of the theft (bills, IRS notices, etc.)
b. Tell the police someone stole your identity and you need to file a report. If they are reluctant, show them the FTC's Memo to Law Enforcement [PDF] c. Ask for a copy of the police report. You’ll need this to complete other steps. d. Create your Identity Theft Report by combining your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit with your police report.
Your identity theft report proves to businesses that someone stole your identity. It also guarantees you certain rights.
Step 5
Consider adding an extended fraud alert or credit freeze.
| Extended Fraud Alert | Credit Freeze |
|---|---|
| Lets you have access to your credit report as long as companies take steps to verify your identity | Stops all access to your credit report unless you lift or remove it |
| Free to place and remove if someone stole your identity. Guaranteed by federal law. | Cost and availability depend on your state law. There might be a small fee for placing, lifting and removing. |
| Lasts for 7 years | Lasts until you lift or remove |
Set it by contacting each of the three credit bureaus:
|
Set it by contacting each of the 3 credit bureaus.
|
| For fraud alerts: | For credit freezes: |
Extended fraud alerts and credit freezes can help prevent further misuse of your personal information. There are important differences. This chart can help you decide which might be right for you.
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft