How to Avoid and Stop Identity Theft.

According to TransUnion’s Fraud Victim Assistance Department, the top 10 underlying causes of credit fraud and identity theft are*:

1. Theft of employer / other multi-person records 2. Credit card skimming 3. Mail theft 4. Social Engineering (misrepresentation to obtain personal information; often via phone) 5. Lost / stolen purse or wallet 6. Improper disposal of credit card receipts and statements 7. Database intrusion (credit card account numbers) 8. Dishonest employee 9. Eavesdropping / wandering eyes 10. Domestic / elder abuse These days, many people use the Internet to purchase goods, conduct their personal banking and pay bills. For the most part, these transactions are secure and the risk to the consumer is low. However, even the most innovative Internet business security system is not foolproof.

1. Don’t give your Social Security number to, as this is the main piece of information targeted by identity theft criminals. A good rule to follow: Only provide your Social Security number to trusted individuals or companies with which you initiated contact. Never, ever provide your Social Security number based on a telephone, mail or email solicitation.

When you apply for a loan, ask that your Social Security number be truncated or blocked out on the paper application. Additionally, monitor the lender’s use of your credit report. Ask the lender/loan officer who pulls your report to shred the copy once they have reviewed it. Never print your Social Security number on your checks.

2. Shred old paperwork and mail that contains personal or financial information prior to disposing of it. Many identity thieves dig through trashcans, in search of a potential victim’s personal information.

3. Make a list of account numbers, expiration dates and telephone numbers for each credit card you own. Keep this list in a safe place, for use if your purse or wallet is stolen. This will allow you to quickly and easily contact your creditors and report your information as stolen.

4. Carefully review your credit card statements each month before paying them.

5. Subscribe to a credit monitoring service that will notify you each time someone applies for credit in your name. Make sure the company reports in real time. Some companies report only weekly, or once a month, which does not allow you sufficient time to deter possible identity theft. Fraudulent Email Another tactic would-be credit thieves use in an attempt to steal your personal information is fraudulent email, a.k.a. “phishing”. These emails appear to come from legitimate businesses, particularly banks and other financial institutions, and are often difficult to discern from the real thing. The email usually states the business requires an update of your personal and financial information, and provides a link. Normally, the “phishers” ask for information such as your password or pin number, credit card validation code, credit card/debit card number, bank account number and Social Security number. To lure you into providing this information, the thief will generally include some kind of dire warning or threat – such as cancellation of your account if you do not immediately update your information. If you click on the link in the email, you will be taken to a Web site that looks legitimate, but beware! This is actually a scheme designed to capture an unwitting consumer’s information, and by clicking on the link, you can cause logging software to be installed onto your computer. This software will record information you type on your computer, such as your account numbers, user IDs and passwords, etc., and automatically send a report back to the thief. If you receive an email communication from a company, which you believe to be legitimate, call the business using a number you already have in your possession. Or, simply open a new Web browser and type in the company’s URL yourself. Once you’re at the business’ home page, you can perform the task requested in the email. Other tips for keeping your personal information safe online

• Run a virus scan on a regular basis.
• Use hard-to-guess passwords, and change them frequently.
• Check your online accounts and credit statements often. Watch for unfamiliar charges or withdrawals.

If you believe you may have been the victim of identity theft or fraud, please visit the FTC’s “Take Charge: Fight Back Against Identity Theft. This federal government web page offers helpful advice on recovering from, and fighting back against, identity theft. Are you or someone you know in the military? Considering an “active duty alert.” If you are a member of the military and away from your usual duty station, you may place an “active duty alert” on your credit report to help minimize the risk of identity theft while you are deployed. When a business sees the alert on your credit report, it must verify your identity before issuing you credit. The business may try to contact you directly, but if you’re on deployment, that may be impossible. As a result, the law allows you to use a personal representative to place or remove an alert. Active duty alerts on your report are effective for one year, unless you request that the alert be removed sooner. If your deployment lasts longer, you may place another alert on your report. To place an “active duty” alert, or to have it removed, call the toll-free fraud number of one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. The company will require you to provide appropriate proof of your identity, which may include your Social Security number, your name, address, and other personal information. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com Contact only one of the three companies to place an alert — the company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, as well. If your contact information changes before your alert expires, remember to update it. When you place an active duty alert, your name will be removed from the nationwide consumer reporting companies’ marketing lists for prescreened offers of credit and insurance for two years — unless you ask that your name be placed on the lists before then. Prescreened offers — sometimes called “preapproved” offers — are based on information in your credit report that indicates you meet certain criteria set by the company making the offer. To learn more about identity theft and your credit rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, visit http://www.ftc.gov/credit.