Transcript ID-Theft FaceOff

The Federal Employee Service
Center
IDENTITY-THEFT”
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Five Startling facts about Identity Theft
►Some 17% of U.S. consumers have fallen as Victims to Identity
Theft
►Nearly 28% of American households have been affected by ID
Theft as a consequence of a relations’ misfortune
►Credit Card fraud accounts for 20% of all ID Theft cases.
►Other major forms of ID Theft include selling of stolen personal
information, such as Social Security and Bank account numbers.
►Debit card fraud accounts for some 16% of ID Theft cases.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
What is Identity Theft?
● Identity theft occurs when someone uses your
personal identifying information, such as your
Name, Social Security number, or Credit
Card number, without your permission to
commit fraud or other crimes.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Fact!
The FTC states that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities
stolen each year,
You or someone that you know may have experienced some form of Identity
Theft.
The crime takes many forms:
Thieves may rent an apartment in your name
Obtain a credit card
Telephone account, etc…..
You may not know until it is too late. You need to run an annual credit
report each year!
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Identity Theft is SERIOUS!
● Some Identity Theft Victims can resolve problems quickly
● Others spend Hundreds maybe Thousands to repair their
good name and credit record
● Lose out on Job opportunities
● Denied loans for Education, Cars, Housing because of
Negativity
● In some rare cases…. You may even be arrested.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
How do thieves steal your Identity?
Remember… Your name, Social Security, Other Financial
Account information…
Skilled Thieves may use a variety of methods
► Dumpster Diving
► Skimming – special storage device
►Phishing – Pretend to be Financial Institutions, send spam,
pop-up messages
► Changing Your Address
► Old-Fashion Stealing
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Information from Businesses or other
Institutions
► Stealing records or information while on the job
► Bribing an employee who has access to these
records
► Hacking these records
► Conning information out of employees
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► Stealing your mail
► Bank statements
► Credit card offers
► New Checks
► Tax information
► Credit reports by abusing their Employers authorized access
► Posing as a land lord, employer, or someone else with legal
access to your report
FESC ID-Theft 2011
► Swipe your card for an actual purchase
► Attach a device to an ATM machine
► Strangers who enter you home
► Steal info thru emails
► Phone posing as legitimate companies that you have a
problem with account “Phishing online” or “Pretexting by
phone”
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft
Medical Identity Theft is a twist on traditional
identity theft, which happens when someone steals
your personal information…..
Like traditional Identity Theft, Medical ID Theft
can affect your finances, but it can also take a toll
on your health.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft
Ill Effects
● You get a bill for medical services you didn’t receive
● A debt collector contacts you about medical debt you owe
● You order a copy of your Credit Report and see Medical
collection notices
● Try to make legitimate insurance claims / Health Ins.
Company Denies you
● Denied Insurance because your medical records showed a
condition that you didn’t have.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft
Every time a Thief uses your Identity
A medical record is created by the imposter’s medical Info.
Maybe created a:
► Different Blood Type
► An inaccurate history of drug or alcohol abuse
► Test results that aren’t yours!
► Or maybe a diagnosis of an illness, allergies, or
condition that is not yours…
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft
Prevention
► Never give out you personal or medical information
over the phone!
► Always beware of “Free” healthcare services or products
from providers where your ID is required
► Always Shred your Medical, Prescriptions, and
Physician statements. Review them regularly
► Beware of Imposters! Might pose as an Ins. Co. Rep.,
Doctor’s office, Clinics, Pharmacies, Gov’t Employees
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Health Care Identity Theft
►Safe Guard your Medical & Health Insurance Information
►Secure medical / Health Ins. papers Drawer /Safe/Electronic
►If asked for Id’s, Social Security #, Ins acct Info. Asked if It
will be shared.
►Look at website privacies policies and read them, what
others have access to the information
►If you decide to share your info online; Look for (Lock Icon)
on the browser’s status or a URL that begins “https.” The S
is for secure.
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Remember that email is not secure…..
Fact:
REVIEW YOUR HEALTH RECORDS!
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPPA)
● Rule you the right to copies of your records that are
maintained by Insurance and Health care providers covered
by the law.
● Generally are required to give them to you with in 30 days.
● You need to contact each provider, not like Credit Report
● Might charge a fee! Keep track of communications,
including copies of postage, certified receipts, etc.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Obtain a “Copy of Disclosures” for you medical records from your
Health plan and providers…
The law allows you to order one Free Copy of the accounting from each
provider every 12 months!
The accounting is a record of:
► The date of the disclosure
► The name of the person or entity who received the information
► brief description of the information disclosed
► A brief statement of the purpose of the disclosure or copy of the
“Request for It”
You want to follow& create the paper trail to be sure that is it accurate.
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www.hhs.gov/ocr
Health Care Identity Theft
Bouncing Back!
1) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
online at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by calling 1877- ID-THEFT (438-4338) TTY 1-866-653-4261
2) File a report with the local Police, send copies to your
Health plans Fraud Department. Notify the three credit
reporting agencies. “How to File a Police Report”
www.ftc.gov/idtheft/consumers/defend.html
3) Exercise you rights under “HIPPA” to correct errors!
Write to your Carriers. You may want to include any
claims in question on your statements, also your complete
name and address along with a letter disputing the
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information. Send “Certified”
“Fraud Alert”
“Security Freeze”
1) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
2) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
3) Experian: 1-6888-EXPERIAN ( 397-3742)
www.experian.com P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Security Freeze (Credit Freeze)
● Is a warning to businesses or others who may use your credit file.
► Locks down your credit, blocks access, makes it less likely for thief to
open up new accounts
► Placing a credit Freeze does not affect your score…..
Remember!
► Credit reporting companies are not required to Share a request for a
“Security Freeze” as they are with a “Fraud Alert”
► Some states Security freezes are Free for victims, in others, consumer
must pay a fee of $10.00. Each credit reporting company also charges
this fee.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
If you have a valid police report about the theft; you
can usually place or lift a freeze.
ID-Theft Face-Off
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Looks like trouble, Aren’t you
wondering why you’re suddenly
getting phone calls about overdue
bills for purchases you never made
possible?
Someone has stolen your identity!
FESC ID-Theft 2011
But don’t lose your cool: in this game, you
can get your identity back- just by correctly
answering a few true/false questions about
Identity Theft. Each time you get an
answer correct, you can start to put your
identity back together. If you correctly
answer six out of eight questions, your full
Identity is restored!
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 1
If someone has stolen information
about your financial accounts, it’s
best to wait for several weeks to
see what they do with it before
taking any action?
TRUE
FESC ID-Theft 2011
FALSE
Question 1
If someone has stolen information about your
financial accounts, it’s best to wait for several
weeks to see what they do with it before taking
any action?
FALSE
False is it! Your best step is to contact your credit card
companies and close your accounts. Also, talk with your
bank about whether to close other accounts or take
other steps. And check out www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 2
If the stolen information includes your
Social Security Number, you can place
an “Initial Fraud Alert” by calling one
of the three nationwide consumer
reporting companies.
TRUE
FESC ID-Theft 2011
FALSE
Question 2
If the stolen information includes your Social
Security Number, you can place an “Initial Fraud
Alert” by calling one of the three nationwide
consumer reporting companies.
TRUE
Right on! Placing such an alert can help stop someone from
opening new accounts in your name.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 3
One of the best ways to protect your
identity is by using online passwords
only you would know – like your
mother’s maiden name or the last four
digits of your Social Security Number.
TRUE
FESC ID-Theft 2011
FALSE
Question 3
One of the best ways to protect your identity is
by using online passwords only you would
know – like your mother’s maiden name or
the last four digits of your Social Security
Number.
FALSE
Indeed, that’s an incorrect statement. Crooks can
often find this type of information about you – and
then, it’s “So long, Identity!” It’s better you use
random numbers and letters, and commit them to
memory.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 4
The best way to get a free copy of your
credit report is to file a Freedom of
information Act (FOIA) Request.
TRUE
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FALSE
Question 4
The best way to get a free copy of your
credit report is to file a Freedom of
information Act (FOIA) Request.
FALSE
You are so right! The Fair Credit Reporting
Act allows you to ask for and receive one free
credit report from each of the three
nationwide credit reporting companies every
12 months.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 5
The name of the three nationwide consumer
reporting companies are Equinox,
ExperiCorps, and TransAmerica.
TRUE
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FALSE
Question 5
The name of the three nationwide
consumer reporting companies are
Equinox, ExperiCorps, and TransAmerica.
FALSE
Good Eye! The actual names are Equifax,
Experian, and TransUnion. If you’d like a free
annual credit report, visit annualcreditreport.com
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 6
If the stolen information includes your
driver’s license or other government-issued
ID, all you need to do is create a facsimile
using a recent color photo.
TRUE
FESC ID-Theft 2011
FALSE
Question 6
If the stolen information includes your driver’s
license or other government-issued ID, all you need
to do is create a facsimile using a recent color photo.
FALSE
You got it – that answer is false! You should
immediately contact the agency that issued the
document, and follow its procedures to cancel
the stolen documents and get a replacement.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 7
Identity Theft refers only to the theft of
Driver’s licenses and Name badges.
TRUE
FESC ID-Theft 2011
FALSE
Question 7
Identity Theft refers only to the theft of
Driver’s licenses and Name badges.
FALSE
BINGO! While those are types of identity
theft, the term refers to a bound variety of
criminal misuses of your name, Social Security
Number, and Financial information.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 8
If someone has stolen your identity, and
then you notice you’re no longer receiving
bills from creditors, this is a sign that your
identity has been restored.
TRUE
FESC ID-Theft 2011
FALSE
Question 8
If someone has stolen your identity, and then you
notice you’re no longer receiving bills from
creditors, this is a sign that your identity has been
restored.
FALSE
You’re RIGHT! This is a false statement. If
bills stop coming, it may be a sign of
“Hijacking” your identity, and changing the
address your bills are being sent to.
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Congratulations on
regaining your Identity!
FESC ID-Theft 2011
Thank You!
The Federal Employee Service
Center
“Serving Federal & Government Employees”
1-(888)- 206-3352
www.FederalBenefitAnalysis.org
FESC ID-Theft 2011