December is Identify Theft and Prevention Month
The 2010 Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report, supported by the Better Business Bureau and other organizations, reported that more than 11 million adults were victims of identity fraud last year and, on average, it took a victim 21 hours to straighten out the problem.
The Federal Trade Commission has identified five common ways thieves steal personal information.
- Thieves go through the household trash by the curb or in dumpsters looking for bills or other items with your personal information. Shred financial documents and paperwork before throwing them away.
- Your credit card and debit card numbers can be stolen through "skimming," in which crooks use a special storage device to copy your number when your card is processed. Don't use ATMs or gas pumps in poorly lit areas where you might not be able to notice skimming devices attached to the machine or cameras aimed to capture your keystrokes. Cover keypads when entering your pin number and watch your card closely whenever you have to hand it to someone to be swiped.
- The Internet has created a new way to steal identities called phishing. This occurs when you receive an email that looks like it comes from your bank with a link to a site that is designed to look like the one for your bank or financial institution. Never click on the link in an email that you are not expecting. Instead go to the site yourself by typing in an address you know is correct or using a bookmark you have created. Your bank and creditors don't need you to tell them your account information so never give out your personal information on the Internet or over the phone unless you are sure who you are talking to.
- Thieves can divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form. Be aware of bills that do not arrive as expected or unexpected credit card or account statements.
- Old fashioned stealing still exists with thieves robbing wallets and purses, obtaining personnel or business records and stealing mail with monthly bills, pre-approved credit card offers, new checks and bank statements. Keep your financial information in a safe place from robbers, roommates and service people such as maids, exterminators and repairmen.
The best way to detect fraud is to check over your financial statements as they come in for any charges you did not make and order your free credit report each year. If you become a victim of identity theft, you should immediately place a fraud alert on your credit report, file a police report and close any affected accounts.
