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Deter, Detect, Defend: The FTCs Program on Identity Theft

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What is Identity Theft? u When someone else uses your personally identifying information without your knowledge or permission to Obtain Credit Cards Get Wireless or phone products, services Get Loans and Mortgages Obtain Employment Avoid Criminal Penalties Commit Other Frauds or Crimes

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What Kind of Information Does an Identity Thief Need? u Identity thieves use: Social Security Number Name and Address Date of Birth Mothers Maiden Name Drivers License Credit Card, Bank and other Account Numbers

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Consequences of Identity Theft u Identity thief seldom pays bills for debts incurred under your name u You may not discover for months or years u You are saddled with bad credit report u Due to bad credit report, you may be denied or charged higher rates for new credit, loans, mortgages, utility service, or employment u If criminal record created in your name, you may fail background checks for employment, firearms, etc., may even spend time in jail

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Students Are a Vulnerable Group u Developing financial identity u Targeted age category by ID thieves

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Protecting Yourself Information Source How Thieves Work Protecting Yourself Your wallet u Theft u Skimming u Carry minimum ID information on you u dont carry SSN card u change health ins. #, if possible u Change drivers license u Pay attention to card access devices You u Phishing Scams u Social Engineering u Theft u Dont give out info. to uninitiated contacts u Secure your info. in your home and workplace from others

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Protecting Yourself Information Source How Thieves Work Protecting Yourself MailTheft u Use locked mailbox u Pick up mail promptly, stop delivery on vacations u Use postal mailboxes for outgoing mail TrashDumpster Diving u Shred personal information u 1-888-5-OPTOUT

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Protecting Yourself Information Source How Thieves Work Protecting Yourself Companies or institutions where youre a customer, employee, patient, student, etc. u Theft u Bribery u Inside corruption u Pretexting u Dumpster Diving u Ask about information security procedures in your workplace and businesses where youre a client or customer u Minimize the use of your SSN u Put strong passwords on your accounts Public recordsMost likely find information posted online ?

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Personal Computer Security Keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software updated Use a firewall Set up security protocols properly if file sharing or using Wi-fi Use a delete program to wipe your hard drive before getting rid of your old computer Visit http://onguardonline.gov for more tips.http://onguardonline.gov

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Know what to do if your information gets lost or stolen u SSNs place a fraud alert, check credit reports u Existing accounts close and open new ones, place strong passwords u Drivers license, etc. contact issuing agency

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How Can You Tell if Youre a Victim? u Check credit reports www.AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228www.AnnualCreditReport.com u Monitor financial accounts u Failure to receive bills or other mail signaling theft or an address change by the identity thief u Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply u Denial of credit, or offer of poor credit terms such as high interest rate, for no apparent reason u Receiving calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you did not buy

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What Should Victims Do? u Immediately: Call fraud lines of CRAs and get fraud alerts placed on credit reports; review your free credit report for inaccuracies Close affected accounts: Contact creditors fraud departments, ask if they accept IDT Affidavit, if not, ask for their fraud forms File a complaint with FTC, take complaint to police Report to local police, get copy of report

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Protections for Victims u Know your legal rights Fair Credit Reporting Act Fair Debt Collection Practices Act The Truth in Lending Act The Electronic Fund Transfer Act u Contact state or federal agencies if you need additional help with specific problems

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Credit Report Clean-Up If Victim Provides CRAs with Identity Theft Report: u CRAs will block the inaccurate information on victims credit report resulting from identity theft u When victims credit report is sent out, it will be correct

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Filing a Complaint with the FTC File online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFTwww.ftc.gov/idtheft Get helpful information Use complaint to get an identity theft report from the police Report law violations by companies Helps law enforcement Informs FTC of problem trends

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Resources u www.ftc.gov/idtheft www.ftc.gov/idtheft u http://onguardonline.gov u 1-877-ID THEFT (438-4338) u Deter, Detect, Defend: Avoid ID Theft and Take Charge: Fighting Back Against ID Theft u ID Theft Affidavit