Let’s Look at the Issues
Identify theft doesn’t just happen to someone else. Just ask any of the 15 million Americans who were victims of this kind of crime last year alone. That’s why our friends at the AFL-CIO and the Union Plus program have asked unions like ours to remind members of the best ways to fight identity theft.
ID thieves have tried-and-true methods like picking pockets, rummaging through dumpsters and recovering bills and credit card and banking statements, as well as 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.
One of the newest scams is when consumers receive phone calls or online solicitations for free tech support to “fix” one’s computer. In reality, it’s a scammer looking to gather personal info from your computer.
There are lots of other scams ID thieves use, like gathering personal information from you right over the phone.
Action recommended by the Federal Trade Commission is the best way to foil and minimize the damage caused by ID thieves.
For starters, the best way to deter ID theft is to stop it before it happens. There are a number of easy 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 exactly with whom you are dealing.
● Don’t use your birth date, mother’s maiden name, current or former addresses or sequenced digits of your Social Security number or phone number as a password.
● Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails.
● Maximize computer security with anti-spy ware and virus software. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
Also, all consumers should routinely monitor their 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.
In addition, consumers should monitor their credit reports. As we reported in Hotel Voice two weeks ago, 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. Call 1-877-322-8228 or visit AnnualCreditReport.com to order your free reports.
What should you do if 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. The phone numbers are:
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 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 ftc.gov/idtheft
You can order brochures on identity theft by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT or by visiting ftc.gov/idtheft online.
Identity theft has become one of the most common — and serious — crimes against U.S. consumers. That’s why we hope the information provided here will help you prevent theft of your identity, as well as help you in the event you are victimized by this crime.
