Credit Reporting and Scoring
Download
Report
Transcript Credit Reporting and Scoring
Identity Theft
Barbara O’Neill, Ph.D., CFP
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey
Adapted by Jean Lown, Ph.D.
& Lindsay Grover
Financial Planning for Women April 11, 2012
ID Theft
Deter
Detect
Defend
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idth
eft/video/avoid-identity-theft-video.html
2
What is Identity Theft?
a crime of stealing personal information &
using it fraudulently
name
address
Social Security number
birth date
mother’s maiden name, etc.
3
What are Consequences?
Prevents you from getting mortgage, loan,
credit card, etc.
Costs you time & money
Destroys your credit & ruins your good
name
Criminals assume your identify
4
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
Not receiving credit card or bank statements
Denied credit
Getting bills from companies you don’t
recognize
Credit collection agencies calling to collect
on debts that are not yours
5
Common Forms of Identity Theft
Credit card fraud
Communications services fraud (cell phone)
Bank fraud
Fraudulent loans
Internet fraud
6
How Identity Theft Occurs
Identity thieves…
steal wallets and purses containing your ID
steal your mail
complete false “change of address” forms
rummage through trash (“dumpster
diving”)
pose fraudulently as someone else to get
your information
7
More Ways Identity Theft Occurs
Identity thieves…
steal business or personnel records
find personal info in your home
use info you put on Internet (FB)
buy personal info from “inside sources”
“shoulder surf” at ATMs
Tap into wireless communications
8
Technology Scams:
Phishing,
Fraudulent E-mails, etc.
Look-Alike (Fake) Web Sites
Spoof e-mail messages sent to “verify” or
“update” account info
Appears to come from reputable company
Example: eBay, Best Buy, banks, merchants
Looks “legitimate”
Scam is called “phishing”
Get people to disclose sensitive data
Data used to commit identity theft
10
Red Flags of a Phishing Scam
E-mails that direct users to a Web site to
“validate” or “update” info
E-mails warning accounts will be closed
Grammatical errors and typos
References to 9-11, the Patriot Act, etc.
Return addresses at yahoo.com, juno.com
Words Like “Urgent” and “Important”
11
How Identity Thieves
Use Your Information
Change mailing addresses on credit card accounts
Open new credit accounts
Establish phone or wireless service in your name
Open new bank accounts & write bad checks
File for bankruptcy under your name
Make counterfeit checks or debit cards
Buy and take out car loans in your name
Commit crimes in your name
12
Reducing the Risk of ID Theft
Shred credit card applications, receipts,
bank, & billing statements
Avoid giving your SSN unless absolutely
necessary -- use other identifiers
Guard mail from theft (in- & out-going)
Go Green; go electronic
13
More Ways to
Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft
Carry minimum identification
Travel
with back up ID secured
Limit number of credit cards you carry.
Don’t give personal identification on phone
unless you initiate call.
Protect personal info in your home.
Use STRONG passwords on credit card, bank, &
phone accounts.
14
Still More Ways to
Reduce Risk of Identity Theft
Don’t carry your SS card.
Save ATM & credit card receipts to check
against statements.
Monitor your credit reports 3x/year
https://www.annualcreditreport.com
15
Deter ID Theft
Opt-out of pre-approved credit offers
Thieves steal & alter to apply in your
name at their address
https://www.optoutprescreen.com
Protect yourself w/ a credit report freeze
Don’t wait until you are a victim
Place 90 day freeze & renew
https://www.annualcreditreport.com
16
90 day fraud alert
a.k.a. initial security alert
a 90 day fraud alert is free
a credit freeze costs $
Fraud Alert takes only a couple minutes
https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html
Register with 1 credit bureaus it notifies the
other two CBs.
Also removes you from prescreened offer
mailing list for 6 months.
Defend: If You’re a Victim...
Contact credit bureau fraud departments
https://www.annualcreditreport.com
Place fraud alert on your account
Contact creditors & financial institutions
Close accounts that you know or believe someone has
tampered with or opened fraudulently; get new account #
File police report
Report to FTC
Report to state Attorney General office
18
Who’s got your kid’s ID? (SLT 4/8/12)
Utah AG’s ID theft report system
> 3,000 cases in past 5 years
2/3 involved children’s SS#
FTC: 19,000 cases of child ID theft
Why kids? Theft goes undetected for years!
Cases of Utah kids w/ $500,000 in debts!
19
Utah Resources
KSL TV report January 2012
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=960&sid=190748
19&s_cid=rss-960
2:34 min.
Minor Theft Prevention Service
ID Theft & Child Identity Protection
http://www.idtheft.utah.gov/
20
Protect your kids
AG’s Child Identity Protection Program
Partnership with TransUnion credit agency
Places warning on child’s credit record
Puts them in “High risk fraud” database
If someone applies for credit in kid’s name
creditor gets warning that SS# is minor’s
Don’t pay for costly credit monitoring services
21
ID Theft through Social Networking Sites
Accepting invitations to connect with
unfamiliar persons or contacts
Using low privacy or no privacy settings
Downloading free apps for use on your
profile
Giving your password or other account info
to people you know
Tips from: ID Theft Resource Center: www.idtheftcenter.org
22
Tips from: www.idtheftcenter.org
Social Networking ID Theft
Participating in quizzes (i.e. How well do
you know me?)
require you to divulge personal info
Clicking links that lead to other websites,
Beware even if the link was sent by a
friend or posted on friend's profile
Using no or out-of-date security software
23
How to Protect Yourself in Social
Media Settings
Use least amount of info necessary to
register & use sites (use a nickname)
Create STRONG passwords; change often
upper & lower case, symbols & numbers
Be wise about what you post
Tips from: www.idtheftcenter.org
24
Tips from: www.idtheftcenter.org
Protect Yourself on Social Media
Only connect w/ people you know & trust.
Read privacy and security polices closely
Verify emails & links in emails from your
social networking site.
Un-click the privacy settings that display
the time stamps of your posts
25
ID Theft & Smart Phones
Don't lose it!
Use passcode to protect phone in case it is
lost or stolen.
Use anti-virus software
Update software when updates are available
Only enable GPS when needed (?)
Tips from: www.idtheftcenter.org
26
ID Theft & Smart Phones
Don’t save account # & passwords in text
files.
Don’t use auto-save function on passwords.
Delete unused apps
Be careful about using wifi spots
27
ID Theft Resources
ftc.gov/idtheft
1-877-ID-THEFT
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Utah:
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/artman2/publi
sh/states/Utah.shtml
28
Questions? Comments?
29