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Protect Your Name - Fraud & Identity Theft Protection
Is someone pretending to be you...using your good name to commit fraud and other crimes? Thieves create numerous identity theft victims each day...do you know how to protect your name, address, Social Security number (SSN), bank & credit card account numbers, and other identifying information? Would you know what to do if your information was stolen?
How can someone get your credit card number without you knowing it?
A thief goes through trash to find discarded receipts or carbons, and then uses your account numbers illegally.
A dishonest clerk makes an extra imprint from your credit or charge card and uses it to make personal charges.
You respond to a mailing asking you to call a long distance number for a free trip or bargain-priced travel package. You're told you must join a travel club first and you're asked for your account number so you can be billed. The catch! Charges you didn't make are added to your bill, and you never get your trip.
Credit and charge card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. While theft is the most obvious form of fraud, it can occur in other ways. For example, someone may use your card number without your knowledge.
Despite your best efforts to manage the flow of your personal information or to keep it to yourself, skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods - low- and hi-tech - to gain access to your data. Here are some of the ways imposters can get your personal information and take over your identity.
How identity thieves get your personal information:
- They steal wallets and purses containing your identification and credit and bank cards.
- They steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, and tax information.
- They complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
- They rummage through your trash, or the trash of businesses, for personal data in a practice known as "dumpster diving."
- They fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for, and legal right to, the information.
- They find personal information in your home.
- They use personal information you share on the Internet.
- They scam you, often through email, by posing as legitimate companies or government agencies you do business with.
- They get your information from the workplace in a practice known as "business record theft" by: stealing files out of offices where you’re a customer, employee, patient or student; bribing an employee who has access to your files; or "hacking" into electronic files.
How identity thieves use your personal information:
- They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, ask to change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there’s a problem.
- They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
- They establish phone or wireless service in your name.
- They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
- They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they’ve incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.
- They counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
- They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.
- They give your name to the police during an arrest. If they’re released from police custody, but don’t show up for their court date, an arrest warrant is issued in your name.
It's not always possible to prevent credit or charge card fraud from happening. But there are a few steps you can take to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers and minimize the possibility.
Guarding Against Fraud
Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit and charge card fraud.
Do:
- Sign your cards as soon as they arrive.
- Carry your cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered compartment, a business card holder, or another small pouch.
- Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place.
- Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
- Void incorrect receipts.
- Destroy carbons.
- Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
- Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.
- Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.
- Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.
Don't:
- Lend your card(s) to anyone.
- Leave cards or receipts lying around.
- Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
- Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
- Give out your account number over the phone unless you're making the call to a company you know is reputable. If you have questions about a company, check it out with your local consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau.
What should you do if you've lost your credit card or someone has stolen it?
If you lose your credit or charge cards or if you realize they've been lost or stolen, immediately call the issuer(s). Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. By law, once you report the loss or theft, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card.
If you suspect fraud, you may be asked to sign a statement under oath that you did not make the purchase(s) in question.
The following related articles on myparentime.com contain helpful information & other resources regarding consumer fraud:
Identity Crisis: Thieves Who Steal More Than Money 10 part series
Can Consumers Fight Back Against Credit Fraud?
Below are some books with information about consumer fraud. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
 The Complete Idiot's Guide To Frauds, Scams, and Cons: - Duane Swierczynski. Buy it NOW through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
The Art of the Steal: How to Recognize and Prevent Fraud--America's #1 Crime: - Frank W. Abagnale. Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
The Safety Minute: Living on High Alert; How to Take Control of Your Personal Security and Prevent Fraud: - Robert L. Siciliano. Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Below are informative resources where you can find more helpful content regarding consumer fraud:
Click here to read other articles from the Federal Trade Commission.
Sources © Federal Trade Commission. Reprinted with permission.
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