THE CRIME OF THE (NEW) CENTURY:
IDENTITY THEFTIdentity theft has been called the
"Crime of the new millennium" and it
is the fastest growing crime in the country.
Identity theft occurs when an
imposter obtains key pieces of
information such as Social Security
and driver's license numbers to
obtain credit, merchandise and
services in the name of the victim.
The victim is left with a ruined
credit history that can be extremely
difficult to repair. Some victims
unwittingly supply vital personal
data to smooth-talking criminals,
who may pose as bank representatives
or law enforcement officers. In
other cases, criminals use their
computer savvy to glean personal
information without any interaction
with their victims. The victims
often have no idea that their
identity has been compromised until
creditors begin to inquire about
outstanding bills.
Recognizing the problem, Congress
last year passed the Fair and
Accurate Credit Transactions Act,
called the FACT Act. The provisions
of FACT are being phased-in,
beginning this month. Later in 2005,
Floridians will be entitled to
receive free credit reports to check
for suspicious account activity and
we'll be able to opt out of mass
solicitations and be notified of
negative credit information.
While it is extremely difficult
to prevent identity theft, there are
some steps you can take:
- Share identity information
only when necessary. Never give
anyone your credit card number
unless you initiated the
transaction. If someone calls
you on the phone and asks for
your credit card number or
social security number, don't
give it to them! Social Security
numbers should not be provided
to anyone other than employers
or financial institutions that
need them for tax reporting
purposes.
- Do not carry unnecessary
identification cards. Thieves
usually obtain identity
information through the loss or
theft of purses and wallets. To
reduce the risk, only carry the
basics, such as your driver's
license, one credit or debit
card and an insurance card.
- Secure your mailbox. The
second most common way that
thieves obtain identity
information is through stolen
mail. Many thieves raid
mailboxes as soon as the postal
carrier is through. Never place
outgoing mail in an unlocked
residential mailbox.
- Secure information on your
personal computer. Credit card
numbers should not be provided
to anyone on the Internet unless
you initiated the contact.
- Shred documents containing
identity information before
tossing them in the trash. This
includes credit or debit card
receipts, canceled bank checks
and statements and junk mail,
especially pre-approved credit
applications.
- Promptly review all bank and
credit card statements for
accuracy. Report any
irregularities to the bank or
credit card company immediately.
When someone realizes they have
become a victim of identity theft,
they should immediately file a
report with the Cass Sheriff's
Office or local police department
where the identity theft occurred,
if that can be determined.
To keep yourself from getting a
bad name - and possibly worse -
don't be afraid to say "that's none
of your business" when someone asks
you for private personal
information.
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