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Identity
Theft
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What is Identity Theft? |
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Common
ways your identity can be stolen
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| 1. Lost or stolen information like
Social Security Cards, checkbooks, credit cards or your mail can provide
criminals with enough data to commit fraud. 2. Onlookers at the ATM or in stores may obtain your PIN while you are using your ATM or debit card. 3. Criminals can collect critical personal information over the internet. They use the Internet to look for personal pages that contain information like genealogical data with your mother's maiden name, which can be used to set up a credit card account or possibly access existing accounts. 4. Phishing is an attempt to steal confidential information from consumers through the use of "pop-ups" or emails. These emails have Internet links to deceive you into disclosing sensitive information such as bank account and social security numbers. Oftentimes the email appears as if it comes from a trusted source. It directs you to a "spoofed" website that encourages you to divulge sensitive information. 5. Skimmers are devices used to read the magnetic strip from your credit card or bank card. They are often hidden in places where you legitimately use your card to make a transaction like an ATM, a restaurant or other business. Your information is typically used within 24 hours of the skim to make online purchases. 6. Via the phone, thieves may trick you into providing information to someone disguising themselves as a legitimate business representative of your phone company, a department store or cable company. |
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10
Tips to Protect Your Identity
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| 1. Reconcile your bank and credit
card statements monthly. Make sure that there is nothing suspicious
or out of the ordinary on your statements. 2. Guard your Personal Identification Numbers (PIN)s. Do not keep your PIN with any of your credit, ATM, or Check Cards. 3. Be wary of "phishing" : emails that appear to be from a valid company or financial institution requesting confidential information. Legitimate organizations typically do not send unsolicited emails asking for confidential information. Do not reply to these emails or click on links embedded within them. 4. Report lost or stolen checks or credit, debit or ATM cards immediately. 5. Pay bills online or use a locked mailbox to avoid mailbox theft. You are less likely to have your personal information stolen online than from your mailbox. Have your new personal checks delivered to your local financial institution for pickup. 6. Check your credit report annually. Texas residents may obtain a free credit report each year. For information, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 7. Do not give out information such as checking account, credit card or Social Security numbers over the phone unless you initiated the call. 8. Avoid passwords that are easy to discover like your mother's maiden name or your birth date. Regularly change your passwords. Also, create a username that is unique and difficult for others to guess. 9. Shred all documents containing personal information. 10. If you think you are a victim of identity theft, take action immediately. Contact the local police, your bank(s), the three major credit reporting agencies and the Federal Trade Commission at (877) IDTHEFT or log on to its Web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Learn more about what to do if you suspect you are a victim of identity theft. |