Let’s Look at the Issues
Identify theft doesn’t just happen to someone else. Just ask any of the 10 million Americans—including more than a few members of our Union—who were victimized by this crime last year. That’s why our friends at the AFL-CIO and Union Plus have asked us to remind you of the best ways to fight identity theft.
ID thieves have tried-and-true methods like picking pockets, rummaging through dumpsters, looking over your shoulder when you use an ATM and stealing files from your computer. They use clever ploys like changing your address with the post office, copying your credit card number when you use it or sending you a phony online breach-of-security warning that solicits personal data from you. There are lots of other scams that ID thieves use, like gathering personal information from you right over the phone.
Experts on identity theft — including the Federal Trade Commission — recommend three steps to foil ID thieves and minimize the damage they cause: Deter, Detect and Defend.
Obviously, the best way to deter ID theft is to stop it before it happens. There are a number of easy deter, detect and defend steps you can — and should — take to prevent ID theft. Here is a list of them:
● Shred financial documents and papers with personal information.
● Don’t carry your Social Security card or write your Social Security number on checks.
● Don’t give out personal information on the phone, online or through the mail unless you know with whom you are dealing.
● Don’t use your obvious combinations like your street address, birth date, mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security number as a computer password.
● Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails.
● Maximize computer security with anti-spy ware and virus software. For more information, visit OnGuardOnline.gov
It is also important to regularly monitor your accounts, billing statements and credit reports for suspicious activity. Here are some key items to look out for:
● Bills that do not arrive as expected.
● Unsolicited credit cards or account statements.
● Denial of credit for no apparent reason.
● Calls or letters about purchases you did not make or charges on credit card bills and other statements that you did not authorize.
Monitor your credit report. The law requires the major nationwide reporting companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — to give consumers a free copy of their credit report each year if they ask for it. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to order your free reports.
As soon as you suspect identity theft you should act quickly and decisively. Here’s what to do:
● Place a “Fraud Alert” with the three reporting companies, by calling one of them. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before opening new accounts or making changes to existing ones. Here are the phone numbers to call:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-800-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
● Close any fraudulent or tampered-with accounts, notify the companies’ fraud departments and ask for written verification. Keep copies of everything!
● Use the FTC’s ID Theft Affidavit found at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.
● File reports with your local police and with the FTC, at 1-877-IDTHEFT or online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft
You can order brochures on identity theft by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT or visiting ftc.gov/idtheft on the Internet.
As we noted, this information was provided by our friends at the AFL-CIO and Union Plus. Remember, identify theft doesn’t just happen to someone else it is expected to victimize more than 20 million Americans over the next year. Don’t let yourself or a family member be victimized. You work hard for your money. Use the information here to protect yourself from someone stealing your identity!
