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Welcome to ID Theft & ACCOUNT FRAUD a Prevention & Clean Up © 2011 MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP What will you learn During this presentation you will learn: • The effects of ID theft and account fraud • How ID theft and account fraud happen • How to avoid becoming a victim • How to recognize when fraud has occurred • Steps to take if you come a victim • About helpful resources MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP What is ID Theft When someone steals another person’s personal information to commit fraud • Open credit cards, buy goods • Take out loans • • Get cell phones Open bank accounts • Seek employment What else can an ID thief do? MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP What is account fraud? Unauthorized charges, withdrawals or new accounts Crooks use: • • • • Identification Credit card numbers Social security numbers Bank account information MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP It pays to prevent ID theft Victims spend an average of more than 100 hours recovering from ID theft. It is estimated that victims of ID theft spend an average of $1,865 to clear their names if the crooks opened new accounts MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Through no fault of their own, victims face Increased credit card fees Higher interest rates Higher insurance premiums Closure of bank accounts MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Credit Reports Check your credit reports regularly. Free credit reports can be obtained once a year from each of the 3 credit reporting agencies: • Equifax • Experian • TransUnion MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Free credit reports Annual Credit Report • www.annualcreditreport.com • 877-322-8228 • Annual Credit Report Request Service PO Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Credit reports Get all three agency reports at the same time, OR Stagger the three reports out during the year • Get one every four months MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Social Security number (SSN) Memorize your Social Security number (SSN) Don’t carry your Social Security card Don’t print your SSN on your driver’s license or bank checks Keep all papers listing your SSN hidden or locked away Shred all documents with SSNs before you throw them away MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Financial information Check bills, bank and credit card statements • Report any unauthorized transactions immediately Track statements, new credit cards or check orders in the mail Call the companies immediately if you notice • • Unauthorized transactions Missing credit cards or checks MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Cards and account numbers Shield ATM keypads when entering passwords Memorize your PINs Watch your cards while they are with sales clerks or waiters Lock your own mailbox • Use US post boxes for outgoing mail that contains account numbers MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Phone and Internet Don’t answer callers or e-mails asking for personal information • Remember, you may be overheard on a cell phone Always make sure you are dealing with reputable companies MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Marketing Read your bank’s privacy notice Stop or ‘opt out’ of pre-screened credit offers • 888-5OPT-OUT MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Are you already a victim? Check your credit report Look for • Accounts you don’t recognize • Inaccurate information MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Monitor your mail Missed bills, credit card statements, etc. may signal trouble MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Always question … Charges, bills or collection calls that are not yours • Complain immediately Denials of credit when you have good credit • Get a free copy of the credit report used to make the decision • Check for mistakes or fraud MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP ID theft clean up Document the crime File a police report with your local police department • Get a copy of the police report Contact appropriate state and federal law enforcement agencies Complete a free ID Theft Affidavit from the FTC • www.ftc.gov/idtheft MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Fraud alerts Add a fraud alert to your report • Initial alert—90 days • Extended alert—7 years • Additional free credit reports When alerts are in place, allow time when applying for new credit • Instant credit won’t work MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Credit reporting agencies Equifax, 800-525-6285, www.equifax.com Experian, 888-397-3742, www.experian.com TransUnion, 800-680-7289, www.transunion.com MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Victims - be watchful Dispute fraudulent accounts immediately • Close all affected accounts • Follow up your phone call with a written request Get letters stating disputed accounts have been closed Create new passwords for all of your accounts • Avoid easy-to-guess passwords MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP On-going prevention Get your credit report. Look for: • Accounts you don’t recognize • Incorrect information about you Order free reports • www.annualcreditreport.com • 877-322-8228 MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Password accounts Place passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts Don’t use easy-to-guess names and numbers Ask businesses not to use SSN or mother’s maiden name MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Computer safety Don’t respond to ‘phish-y’ e-mails Enter web addresses (URLs) carefully Bookmark favorite sites Check site security—padlock in browser Don’t ‘click’ e-mail links Use phone numbers on account statements or from the phone book Stay informed – check the web for scam alerts MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Proof of the crime File a police report Get a case number File reports with other appropriate agencies Complete free FTC ID Theft Affidavit MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Freeze your credit Prevent new credit without your permission Fees and procedures vary from state to state ID theft victims usually can place, lift or remove the freeze for free To freeze, contact the credit reporting agencies: • • • Equifax: 800-685-1111 Experian: 888-397-3742 TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872 MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Social Security numbers Usually, you can’t get a new SSN • For more about SSNs, visit the Social Security Administration - www.ssa.gov MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Additional Resources FTC ID Theft Clearinghouse / ID Theft Hotline US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation United States Postal Inspection Service United States Secret Service MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Non-profit organizations Consumer Action • www.consumer-action.org Identity Theft Resource Center • www.idtheftcenter.org National Fraud Information Center • www.fraud.org Privacy Rights Clearinghouse • www.privacyrights.org MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP Visit money-wise.org for additional information and to access free financial education materials MoneyWI$E A CONSUMER ACTION AND CAPITAL ONE PARTNERSHIP