Identity Theft

Officer Bill Roscop Mount Prospect Police Department

Illinois National Ranking

• State of Illinois ranks 12

th

– 60.2 victims per 100,000 – 7,474 victims in Illinois

Top Cities in Illinois

• Chicago • Rockford • Aurora • Naperville • Joliet

2730 105 102 70 69

How Information is misused

• 42% Credit card Fraud • 26% Phone or Utilities Fraud • 15% Bank Fraud • 10% Employment Related Fraud • 8% Government Documents/Benefits Fraud • 6% Loan Fraud • 15% Other Identity Theft • 8% Attempted Identity Theft

Top Fraud Complaint Categories

• 27% Internet Auctions • 11% Internet Services & Computer Complaints • 9% Shop-at-Home/Catalog Sales • 9% Advance-Fee Loans & Credit Protection/Repair • 7% Prizes/Sweepstakes & Lotteries

Complaints by Victim Age

1)

Internet Auctions -

1972

2)

Internet Services & Computer Complaints -

820

3)

Shop at Home Catalog Sales -

675

4)

Advance fee Loans & Credit Protection/Repair -

654

5)

Prizes/Sweepstakes and Lotteries -

538

7303 6303 5303 4303 3303 2303 1303 303 -697 Illinois Fraud Complaints 1 2 3 4 5

Types of Identity Theft

• Account Takeover • Application Fraud

Account Takeover

• Account Takeover – Occurs when a thief acquires: • Your existing account information – Makes purchases using your actual credit card – Or the account information » Account number & expiration

How Is It Done?

•

Shoulder Surfing

– At ATM Machines or phone booths for PIN • • • •

Finding information on Internet sources

– Public records – Fee-based information broker sites

Stealing Mail Accessing your credit report fraudulently

– Posing as landlord – loan officer – or employer

Obtaining S.S. # from:

– Personnel – customer files

Application Fraud

• Application Fraud (

true name fraud

)  Thief uses your information • To open new accounts in your name  Victims not likely to learn of fraud for some time • Due to bills and product shipped to a fake address – Vacant building, etc.

• Learn by receiving monthly statement

How Can My Identity Be Stolen?

• Criminals Steal:  Social Security Numbers  Drivers License Numbers  Credit Card Numbers  ATM Cards  Telephone Calling Cards  And a person’s Date of Birth

How Can I Protect Myself?

• Memorize your Social Security Number and Passwords • Do not record password on papers carried with you.

• Order credit reports every year from credit reporting agencies.

Passwords & PIN

’

s

•

Never use:

 Last four digits of your Social Security Number  Mother’s maiden name  Your date of birth  Middle name  Pet’s name • •

Combine letters and numbers Create a password

Protection

• Shield yourself  When entering ATM code  Phone calling card numbers • People may be watching from a distance

Prevention

Mr. James Q. Public 333 South Green Street McHenry, Illinois 60050 (815) 363-2200

• What Can I Do?

 Install a locking mailbox.

PAY TO THE ORDER OF First National Bank of I.D. Theft 123 Main Street, McHenry Il 60050 (815) 000-0000 MEMO Date :079328765: :0572375”:06 6754  Pick up new checks at the bank.

$

DOLLARS

6754

 Use a P.O. Box as an address on your checks.

 Mail bills at the Post Office. • Not at a neighborhood drop box or curb mailbox.

 Always take credit receipts with you.

• Do not throw them in a public trash container!

How Can I Protect Myself?

• Never give out personal or financial information  Unless you initiate the call or internet contact • Do not carry your Social Security card, birth certificate, or Medicare Card with you

unless necessary

.

• Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

• Check your monthly credit card and bank statements for unusual activity.

How Can I Protect Myself?

SHREAD,SHREAD,SHREAD

• •

All pre-approved credit card applications All documents/receipts showing credit card numbers



Unless it is necessary to retain them

Social Security Numbers

• Protect your Social Security Number  Release it only when absolutely necessary • Tax forms • Employment records • Opening bank accounts • Stock transactions • Property transactions

REMEMBER:

THIS NUMBER IS THE KEY TO YOUR FINANCES!

Where Can I Find My Social Security Number?

• Insurance Cards • Medicare Cards • Illinois Drivers License • College Student Id Numbers

Computer Issues?

• Do you delete files  Or do you cover them up?

• USE A STRONG “

WIPE

” UTILITY PROGRAM • Install a firewall to prevent viruses • RUN YOUR VIRUS UPDATES WEEKLY!

Computer Protection

Password protect sensitive files containing: • Personal data • Financial information Use passwords that combine • 6 – 8 numbers or letters • Upper and lower case

Contact Police Immediately

•

Identity Theft is a Felony.

 October 1998 • Congress passes the Identity and Assumption Deterrence Act  make it a federal crime when anyone:

knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of Federal law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable State or local law.

Violations of the Act are investigated by federal investigative agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by the Department of Justice.

Credit Reporting Agencies

•

Equifax

 (800) 685-1111  (800) 525-6285 •

Experian

 (888) EXPERIAN  (888) 397-3742 •

TransUnion

 (800) 916-8800  (800) 680-7289

Other Agencies

•

Federal Trade Commission

 I.D. Theft Clearinghouse • (877) IDTHEFT • Web: www.consumer.gov/idtheft •

Identity Theft Resource Center

 (858) 693-7935  Web: www.idtheftcenter.org

Additional Resources

• U.S. Department of Justice  WWW.USDOJ.GOV/CRIMINAL/FRAUD/IDTHEFT.HTML

• U.S. FBI  Theft Information Center • HTTP://NORFOLK.FBI.GOV/1999/IDENT.HTM

• Fight Identity Theft  WWW.FIGHTIDENTITYTHEFT.COM

Officer John R. Adams

Support Services Staff Officer City of McHenry Police Department 333 South Green Street (815) 363-2200