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Identity Theft


Identity theft occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. These statistics from the Federal Trade Commission show the impact identity theft has on our country and its citizens.

  • Identity theft costs consumers and businesses $53 million dollars annually.
  • Victims spend an average of 300 hours resolving identity theft issues.
  • In over 25% of identity theft cases, the victim knows or is related to the identity thief.
  • Studies show that 70% of identity-related crimes are perpetrated by employees at places victims spend money, such as restaurants and retail stores.

You can take special precautions to make sure you don’t become a victim. Here are some tips to shield your personal information from would-be thieves.

  • Put a lid on it. Store personal information and documents, like your birth certificate and Social Security card, in a fire-proof lock box. These are relatively inexpensive to purchase and available from a variety of retail stores.
  • Part with your parchment. Invest in a cross-cut shredder and destroy all unnecessary documents that contain sensitive information, such as your computer user IDs and passwords, account numbers, birth date or Social Security Number (SSN). This could include extra copies of your birth certificate, old bank statements, unused deposit slips, ATM receipts, pay stubs, credit card offers and many other items.
  • Be on guard. Don’t give out your personal information over the phone, through e-mail or on the Internet unless you initiate the inquiry. Your bank or credit card company will never ask you to verify your account information by e-mail. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet, and don’t have your SSN printed on your checks.
  • Be password savvy. Never use your birth date, name or phone number as an account password. Choose a password with a variety of characters and numbers (at least 8) that would be hard to guess. Want to test the strength of your password? Visit Microsoft’s password checker to see how yours will hold up to hackers.
  • Put a stop to junk mail. Pre-approved credit card and loan offers in your mailbox are open invitations to an identity thief. Opt out of receiving them by calling 888-567-8688, a service run by the consumer reporting agencies. For the best protection, select option three; this will permanently remove your name from the marketing list.
  • Say bye-bye to paper. Switch to online bill payment methods to eliminate your paper trail. In addition, 24-hour account access will allow you to more closely monitor your account activity and respond faster to fraudulent charges.
  • Keep an eye on your credit. Monitor your credit report regularly. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request one free report per year from each of the three largest consumer reporting agencies. Want more oversight? For $5 a month, TripleAlert.com will monitor your credit and alert you to any changes.

Don’t think it could happen to you? Neither did the estimated 9 million Americans who were victims of identity theft last year. If you do become a victim, the Federal Trade Commission recommends you take the following actions as soon as you’re aware of fraudulent charges.

  • Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review the reports carefully. This alert flags creditors, telling them to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three largest nationwide consumer reporting agencies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert.
    • Equifax: 800.525.6285
    • Experian: 888.EXPERIAN (397.3742)
    • TransUnion: 800.680.7289
    Placing a fraud alert entitles you to a free copy of your credit report. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open and debts you can’t explain.

  • Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.

    • Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your permission. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
    • Use the ID Theft Affidavit at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.
    • Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
    • Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.

  • File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you work with creditors who may want proof of the crime.

  • Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations. You can file a report by:

    • visiting www.ftc.gov/idtheft;
    • calling 877.ID.THEFT (877.438.4338); or
    • mailing a letter to:

      Identity Theft Clearinghouse
      Federal Trade Commission
      600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
      Washington, DC 20580