kb9tbq
07-11-2003, 07:46 PM
How identity thieves get your personal information:
1. Steal wallets & purses
This can happen anywhere - even church; keep track at all times of your purse & wallet. Don't allow anyone to hold on to your purse for any reason, even if you think you can trust them.
2. Steal your mail
US Postal Inspection Service http//: www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
***Report all stolen mail resulting in fraud to the post office.
Recommended to have mail box that deposits directly into the house; or have a lock on the box. If you don't have these means; rent a box at the post office.
Suggestion if you know you will be moving within a few months time; get a PO Box - then wait to catch the mail that gets by; write to each of these companies notifying them of the PO Box address or give notice to remove your from their mailing lists. Plus use all opt-out when ever you have a new address.
3. Complete change of address form to divert mail to a new location.
Keep a list of all your creditors; account number; expiration dates; address; and phone numbers. Keep this locked up in safe.
Know when you are suppose to receive new statements from each creditor per month. If you don't see it in the mail within 5 days call the creditor to change account number and make other payment arrangements since your are missing your billing for the month.
4. Rummage through trash cans
Don't put trash out the night before pick up. Also at work and other locations don't throw away personal information in public trash cans.
5. Fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a business; employer; or landlord who may have a legitimate need for; and legal right to the information.
6. Accessing CRA system to order consumer report pretending to be you.
Pull your credit report at least 3 times per year and keep track of the dates you access your own credit report as well as the creditors you give permission to pull your credit report.
Report fraudulent access to the FTC; dispute with CRA and file police report. Contact companies responsible for the access of your file to investigate the matter.
7. Find personal information in your home
Keep valuables locked up; including financial statements.
8. Use personal information obtained about you on the internet
This covers a few different areas:
A. Personal information; such as phone number; address; public records....just be sure to limit what information you give. And keep a eye on your credit report should some other source results in your information being stolen.
B. Credit Card information; data basis containing financial information. Recommended when using credit cards online for purchase that you get the one time use cards.
9. Scams posing to be organizations or businesses which you do business with; to get money or information from you.
Don't give personal information to anyone calling you, make use of the www.bbb.com. Be sure to get contact information with name of business; person you spoke to (full name); phone number; and address. This way you can file a report against them should you find a serious problem.
10. Steeling personal information about your through various places you do business or have service with (credit card companies; doctors office; employment) any place that would contain records that can be accessed inside or through electronic means.
11. Contacting your credit card issuer; pretending to be you for purpose of changing mailing address.
This is a hard one to prevent; just be sure to watch your credit report. Also with credit card companies; use passwords and pin numbers - don't give out these numbers to anyone. If you have a power of attorney or a person whom you give permission to contact these companies on your behalf they need a release from you with authorized signature and you should call creditors to give verbal authorization as well to who this person is.
12. Opening new credit card account using your personal information.
Make use of the opt - out information provided by the CRAs; watch credit report for unauthorized access of your credit report. Immediately follow up with these creditors to find out why they pulled your credit report. Confirm what address & personal information they have about you. If you are able to verify that they have someone else with account in your name. Immediately tell them to close the account. Provide them with the further information which they request. This will include filing police report; disputing with the CRA; completing ID Theft affidavit...keep track of people you speak with the times of the calls and insist on correspondence of all matters determined in the investigation.
13. Establishing utility service (phone; water; electric; cable..) in your name.
Immediately dispute with the utility company; if they don't respond be sure to follow up with attorney general; or local states representative to find out what commission in your area handles disputes on this matter. Treat the same as the credit card companies; disputing with CRAs; filing police report; and completing ID Theft affidavit.
Watch out for these; see a lot where family members will use your name to open utility accounts which they could not get otherwise because of their own bad credit. This includes using a Childs name to open the accounts.
14. Open Checking accounts & running up bad checks in your name.
There is no early warning against these that I know of; if a case not linked to your current bank. Check with various check companies used by retailers:
National Check Fraud Service 1-843-571-2143
International Check Service 1-800-526-5380
Equifax Check System 1-800-437-5120
Chex Systems 1-800-328-5121
Tele-Check 1-800-366-2425
TeleCheck 1-800-710-9898 / 1-800-927-0188
CrossCheck 1-707-586-0551
Check Rite 1-800-766-2748
SCAN 1-800-262-7771
Also check with any collection agencies that show up; handle the same as Utility and Credit Card accounts.
15. Filing Bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under your name; or to avoid eviction.
US Secret Service www.ustreas.gov/usss
If you believe someone has filed for bankruptcy using your name, write to the US Trustee in the Region where the bankruptcy was filed.
16. Buy cars by taking out auto loan in your name.
Contact Dealership & Auto Loan company; put them on notice; same thing here - file police report; dispute with CRA and follow up with investigation. Keep names and dates of contact as you go along.
17. Counterfeit Checks or debit cards and drain your bank account.
In addition to the other means you will want to contact local state attorney to find out what office needs to be reported to on these matters.
18. Give your name during a police arrest. If they are released from the police custody; but don't show up for their court date; an arrest warrant is issued in your name.
I have never seen or heard of such a case as this; but I should not have to tell you to immediately get a lawyer if this happens to you.
Here are various contacts you may need dealing with ID THEFT:
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213
Securities and Exchange Commission
www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml
SEC Office of Investor Education & Assistance
405 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20549-0213
1-202-942-7040
If you believe an identity thief has tampered with your securities investments or a brokerage account, immediately report it to your broker or account manager. File a complaint with the SEC.
Will add additional information for various cases as I go along.
1. Steal wallets & purses
This can happen anywhere - even church; keep track at all times of your purse & wallet. Don't allow anyone to hold on to your purse for any reason, even if you think you can trust them.
2. Steal your mail
US Postal Inspection Service http//: www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
***Report all stolen mail resulting in fraud to the post office.
Recommended to have mail box that deposits directly into the house; or have a lock on the box. If you don't have these means; rent a box at the post office.
Suggestion if you know you will be moving within a few months time; get a PO Box - then wait to catch the mail that gets by; write to each of these companies notifying them of the PO Box address or give notice to remove your from their mailing lists. Plus use all opt-out when ever you have a new address.
3. Complete change of address form to divert mail to a new location.
Keep a list of all your creditors; account number; expiration dates; address; and phone numbers. Keep this locked up in safe.
Know when you are suppose to receive new statements from each creditor per month. If you don't see it in the mail within 5 days call the creditor to change account number and make other payment arrangements since your are missing your billing for the month.
4. Rummage through trash cans
Don't put trash out the night before pick up. Also at work and other locations don't throw away personal information in public trash cans.
5. Fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a business; employer; or landlord who may have a legitimate need for; and legal right to the information.
6. Accessing CRA system to order consumer report pretending to be you.
Pull your credit report at least 3 times per year and keep track of the dates you access your own credit report as well as the creditors you give permission to pull your credit report.
Report fraudulent access to the FTC; dispute with CRA and file police report. Contact companies responsible for the access of your file to investigate the matter.
7. Find personal information in your home
Keep valuables locked up; including financial statements.
8. Use personal information obtained about you on the internet
This covers a few different areas:
A. Personal information; such as phone number; address; public records....just be sure to limit what information you give. And keep a eye on your credit report should some other source results in your information being stolen.
B. Credit Card information; data basis containing financial information. Recommended when using credit cards online for purchase that you get the one time use cards.
9. Scams posing to be organizations or businesses which you do business with; to get money or information from you.
Don't give personal information to anyone calling you, make use of the www.bbb.com. Be sure to get contact information with name of business; person you spoke to (full name); phone number; and address. This way you can file a report against them should you find a serious problem.
10. Steeling personal information about your through various places you do business or have service with (credit card companies; doctors office; employment) any place that would contain records that can be accessed inside or through electronic means.
11. Contacting your credit card issuer; pretending to be you for purpose of changing mailing address.
This is a hard one to prevent; just be sure to watch your credit report. Also with credit card companies; use passwords and pin numbers - don't give out these numbers to anyone. If you have a power of attorney or a person whom you give permission to contact these companies on your behalf they need a release from you with authorized signature and you should call creditors to give verbal authorization as well to who this person is.
12. Opening new credit card account using your personal information.
Make use of the opt - out information provided by the CRAs; watch credit report for unauthorized access of your credit report. Immediately follow up with these creditors to find out why they pulled your credit report. Confirm what address & personal information they have about you. If you are able to verify that they have someone else with account in your name. Immediately tell them to close the account. Provide them with the further information which they request. This will include filing police report; disputing with the CRA; completing ID Theft affidavit...keep track of people you speak with the times of the calls and insist on correspondence of all matters determined in the investigation.
13. Establishing utility service (phone; water; electric; cable..) in your name.
Immediately dispute with the utility company; if they don't respond be sure to follow up with attorney general; or local states representative to find out what commission in your area handles disputes on this matter. Treat the same as the credit card companies; disputing with CRAs; filing police report; and completing ID Theft affidavit.
Watch out for these; see a lot where family members will use your name to open utility accounts which they could not get otherwise because of their own bad credit. This includes using a Childs name to open the accounts.
14. Open Checking accounts & running up bad checks in your name.
There is no early warning against these that I know of; if a case not linked to your current bank. Check with various check companies used by retailers:
National Check Fraud Service 1-843-571-2143
International Check Service 1-800-526-5380
Equifax Check System 1-800-437-5120
Chex Systems 1-800-328-5121
Tele-Check 1-800-366-2425
TeleCheck 1-800-710-9898 / 1-800-927-0188
CrossCheck 1-707-586-0551
Check Rite 1-800-766-2748
SCAN 1-800-262-7771
Also check with any collection agencies that show up; handle the same as Utility and Credit Card accounts.
15. Filing Bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under your name; or to avoid eviction.
US Secret Service www.ustreas.gov/usss
If you believe someone has filed for bankruptcy using your name, write to the US Trustee in the Region where the bankruptcy was filed.
16. Buy cars by taking out auto loan in your name.
Contact Dealership & Auto Loan company; put them on notice; same thing here - file police report; dispute with CRA and follow up with investigation. Keep names and dates of contact as you go along.
17. Counterfeit Checks or debit cards and drain your bank account.
In addition to the other means you will want to contact local state attorney to find out what office needs to be reported to on these matters.
18. Give your name during a police arrest. If they are released from the police custody; but don't show up for their court date; an arrest warrant is issued in your name.
I have never seen or heard of such a case as this; but I should not have to tell you to immediately get a lawyer if this happens to you.
Here are various contacts you may need dealing with ID THEFT:
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213
Securities and Exchange Commission
www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml
SEC Office of Investor Education & Assistance
405 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20549-0213
1-202-942-7040
If you believe an identity thief has tampered with your securities investments or a brokerage account, immediately report it to your broker or account manager. File a complaint with the SEC.
Will add additional information for various cases as I go along.