1. Identity Theft INDEPENDENT LIVING: MANAGING YOUR MONEY

2. IDENTITY THEFT: ARE YOU A VICTIM? Have you or your parents ever… Written a check at the local store? Charged airline tickets? Rented a car? Applied for a credit card? Mailed in tax returns? Used a cell phone to order pizza? Each of these transactions requires sharing personal information, increasing the possibility of identity theft.

3. IDENTITY THEFT: ARE YOU A VICTIM? What is identity theft? According to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) When some one wrongfully acquires and uses your personal identification, credit or account information.

4. IDENTITY THEFT: ARE YOU A VICTIM? What documents and belongings contain your personal information? Name Address & Telephone Number Social Security Number Driver’s License Number Birth Date Credit Card Numbers Bank Account Numbers

5. PERSONAL INFORMATION Making purchases with a check, credit or debit card Applying for a credit card or loan Online or telephone shopping Paying bills through the mail or online Going to the doctor What daily activities require an individual to share personal information? What daily activities require an individual to share personal information?

6. Stealing - Information is taken from a purse or wallet, personnel records from a workplace, tax information, bank or credit card statements, or pre-approved credit card offers from the mail. HOW DO THEY DO IT?

7. Diverting Mail - Thieves can complete a change of address form and have the victim’s bills and statements mailed to a different location. HOW DO THEY DO IT?

8. “Dumpster Diving” - Personal information is discarded and thieves remove it from the trash. HOW DO THEY DO IT?

9. Skimming - Thieves attach a device to card processors to steal credit and debit card information HOW DO THEY DO IT?

10. Phishing - Thieves use a form of electronic communication (usually email) to pretend to be a company or depository institution in order to get the victim to give up their personal information. HOW DO THEY DO IT?

11. Pretexting - Thieves use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources. HOW DO THEY DO IT?

12. Spyware - Software installed on the victim’s computer, without their knowledge or consent, that monitors internet use, sends pop up ads, re-directs the computer to other sites, and tracks key strokes. HOW DO THEY DO IT?

13. Hacking - Information is stolen by breaking into a computer system. HOW DO THEY DO IT?

14. HOW DOES A THIEF USE THIS INFORMATION? To apply for a new driver’s license To open new bank accounts To apply for credit cards or store credit accounts To obtain cash with bank cards To get a job To rent an apartment To make retail purchases To take out student loans To apply for bankruptcy

15. IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK Wallets and Purses Don’t leave your wallet or purse in plain sight. Don’t hang purse from chair at public place. Use a purse with a secure closure. Carry only what is absolutely needed.

16. Credit, Debit and ATM Cards Keep a list of all cards and account numbers. Keep track of all receipts. Close unwanted accounts in writing and by phone and cut up the card. Memorize PIN number Sign back of card with signature and “see ID” Carry cards separately from wallet Don’t leave bills and bank statements lying around. Pay attention to billing cycles and follow up if bill does not arrive on time. Obtain a photo I.D. card. IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK

17. Credit Card Offers Shred any credit card offers received and not used. Cut up any pre-approved credit cards not used. pre-screened credit offers for five years at ww.optoutprescreen.com

18. IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK Mail Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes. Promptly remove mail from mailboxes. If on vacation, put a hold on mail.

19. Email Keep your username and password protected Do not click to open any mail from an unrecognizable address IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK

20. Telephone Verify the source of any phone call asking for personal information by calling the company to confirm the phone call is legitimate. Do not give any personal information over the phone, unless you have initiated the call. IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK

21. Computer Security Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and update them regularly. Do not give out personal information unless making a purchase. Do not click on links found in pop-up ads. IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK

22. Social Networks, Blogs and Chat rooms Avoid posting information that could be used to identify you offline such as school, work or other locations where you spend time. Use privacy settings to restrict who can access personal sites Only post information that you are comfortable with anyone viewing. IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK

23. Internet Purchases Limit online purchases to secure websites. Make sure the browser states ”https” or “shttp” The s stands for secure. Look for a picture of a lock after the URL or in the bottom right hand corner indicating the site is secure. Use a credit card instead of a debit card. IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK

24. Social Security Number Memorize Social Security number Keep card in a safe place; do not carry it in wallet. Only give number when absolutely necessary.

25. Credit Reports Check with each of the 3 credit reporting agencies at least once a year. www.annualcreditreport.com Immediately dispute any wrong information IDENTITY THEFT- MINIMIZE THE RISK

26. RECOGNIZING IDENTITY THEFT New accounts or charges you didn’t make Calls from collection agencies Incorrect information on your credit report Early detection is key! Being denied credit when there is no reason to be Missing bills or mailed statements Watch for the following signs

27. WHAT TO DO IF IDENTITY THEFT HAPPENS 1. Act immediately! 2. Keep a detailed record of correspondence and phone records. Follow up all communication with letters sent via certified mail 3. Contact the three major credit bureaus and request a free fraud alert be added to credit report. Fraud alert - warns creditors to verify an individual’s identity before issuing credit

28. WHAT TO DO IF IDENTITY THEFT HAPPENS 4. Close all accounts which have been tampered with or opened fraudulently 5. File a police report with the local police 6. File a complaint with the FTC: www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov

29. IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION Offered by banks and other companies Services Closely monitor accounts and personal information Alert consumer when there is a change Help resolve any problems if identity theft does occur

30. Cost $5.00 to $35.00 per month Depends on amount of services provided Can NOT eliminate identity theft but can help prevent it IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION

31. ProsCons ConvenientCost Saves consumer time because they don’t have to monitor their own accounts and credit reports Most of the services offered can be completed by the consumer for no cost What are the pros and cons of identity theft protection? What are the pros and cons of identity theft protection?

32. IDENTITY THEFT INSURANCE Services Limits liability of identity theft victims Reimburses victims for some or all out of pocket expenses caused by the theft Choosing identity theft insurance Research exactly what the company covers Check to see if there are any complaints against the company (Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agency, and state Attorney General)

34. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Fraudulent- Deceitful; not what it seems to be.

35. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Browser- A computer program used for accessing information on a network.

36. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Counterfeit- Made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive.

37. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Liable Accountable; responsible

38. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Encryped- Written in code.

39. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Phishing The use of pop-up messages that ask for personal information while using the internet.

40. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Legitimate- In accordance with the law.

41. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Routing - To divert in a specified direction.

42. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Unsecured- Obligation backed not by collateral but only by the integrity of the borrower.

43. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Creditor- Person or organization which extends credit to others.

44. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Hacking- Breaking into a computer system

45. IDENTITY THEFT PRE-TEST Spyware- Software that monitors internet use