Transcript Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft

Protecting
Yourself Against
Identity Theft
A Financial Literacy Presentation by
Identity Theft on TV
Citi® Cards TV Commercials
Outfit Emmy Award-Winning Commercial
https://www.citibank.com/us/cards/index.jsp
Identity Theft
Defined …
 Identity theft occurs when
someone, without your
permission, uses your Social
Security number, credit card
number or other identifying
information to commit fraud
Monitor Credit Card
and Bank Statements
 Look for monthly statements in the mail
– Carefully review for unauthorized
purchases
 Don’t have blank checks mailed to your
home; pick them up at the bank
 Don’t have extra information like your
telephone or driver’s license numbers
printed on your checks
Safeguard Personal
Information
 Don’t carry your Social Security card
and only give your number to those you
trust
 Never give any personal information
over the telephone unless you initiate
the contact
 Watch what you throw away …
– Shred credit card receipts, old bank
statements and pre-approved credit
card offers
Do Away with
Pre-Screened
Credit Card Offers
 Prevent identity thieves from applying
for a credit card under your name
– Call 1-888-5OPTOUT
• The three major credit bureaus
use the same toll-free number
to allow consumers to choose
not to receive pre-screened
credit card offers
Check Credit Report
Regularly
 Order a credit report at least once a
year from each of the three credit
bureaus:
– TransUnion, Experian and Equifax
 Look for signs of ID theft, like
unauthorized change of address or
new accounts you didn’t open
Treat Mail with Care
 Drop off bill payments at the post office
 Consider installing a locked mailbox or
use a post office box
 Request a vacation hold on your mail if
you’re planning an exotic getaway or
other extended absence from home
Be Computer Safety
Savvy
 Delete all personal information from your computer before
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you donate or discard it
Look for a Web site’s privacy policy
Shop online at Web sites that use technology known as
SSL or Secure Sockets Layer, which encrypts credit card
information
– You’ll know you’re on a secure site if the web address
begins with “https” instead of “http”
Update virus protection software regularly
Don’t download files or click on links sent to you by
strangers
Use a firewall program if you have a high-speed Internet
connection, like cable, DSL or a T-1 line
How to Report ID Theft
 Report the theft to the organization that issued
the credit card or checking account
 Make a toll-free call to the fraud number of any
one of the three major credit bureaus to place a
fraud alert on your credit report
– When one credit bureau confirms your fraud
alert, the other two credit bureaus are
notified automatically
 Make a toll-free call to the Federal Trade
Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline at
877-IDTHEFT
 File a report with the local police
– You may need a police report to validate
your claims to creditors
Restoring Your
Good Name
 Use the ID Theft Affidavit
– Developed by a FTC, bank, credit grantor and
consumer advocate collaboration
– Simplifies charge disputes with companies
where new accounts have been opened in
your name
– Access the ID Theft Web site at
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Any questions?