Protecting Your Credit Identity Identity Theft Protecting Your Credit Identity © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Identity Theft IDENTITY THEFT occurs when someone wrongfully acquires and uses a consumer’s personal identification, credit, or account information. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Identity Crisis-Postal Service DVD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vosYuazo3AM © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Identity Theft $230,000,000,000 lost in identity theft each year around the world. 8.3 million cases in the U.S. in 2005 Federal Trade Administration © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Personal Identification Information Includes Name Address and Telephone Number Social Security number Driver’s license number Bank account numbers Credit card numbers Passwords Bills © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

How Information Can Be Used 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 © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Identity Theft How Identity Theft Occurs & Prevention © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Mail Prevention: Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes not unsecured mailboxes. Promptly remove mail from mailboxes. If on vacation, put a hold on mail. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Wallets and Pocketbooks Prevention: Don’t leave it in plain site. Don’t hang from chair at public place. Use a purse which closes securely. Carry only what is absolutely needed. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Bills Dumpster Diving Prevention: Don’t leave statements lying around. steal bills containing consumer’s name, address, phone number, bank or credit account numbers, or social security. Prevention: Don’t leave statements lying around. Pay attention to billing cycles and follow up if bill does not arrive on time. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Passwords Prevention: Don’t give password to anyone. Don’t write passwords down where others may find them. Create unique passwords using a combination of numbers and letters. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Work Records Prevention: Ensure personal records are locked securely with limited access by employees. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Pre-Approved Credit Cards Prevention: Shred any credit card offers received and not used. Cut up any pre-approved credit cards not used. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Bank Account Information Prevention: Don’t leave statements lying around. Use passwords. Don’t have checks mailed home. Pick them up at the bank. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Social Security Number Prevention: Never give our social security number. Ask for alternate number on driver’s license, insurance cards, and other materials. Do not carry social security card unless necessary. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

ATM, Credit and Debit Cards Prevention: Don’t leave cards lying around. Carry only those which will be used. Use debit cards which require a PIN number. Carry cards in separate holder from wallet. Sign back of cards stating “Please see I.D.” © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

ATM, Credit and Debit Cards Prevention cont.: Have a list of all cards and account numbers. Don’t give out account number unless making a purchase. Keep track of all receipts. Destroy papers with card numbers on them. Check statements for unauthorized charges. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Phone/Internet Phishing- scam claiming to be a legitimate business requesting personal information Prevention Never give out personal info over the phone E-mail links Links go to copy cat sites Type in website address yourself © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Postal Service DVD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nry8QVFBESE © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Credit Reports Credit Reports – report that includes all the accounts a person has, social security number, & personal information. Prevention: Check credit report once per year. Don’t leave reports lying around. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

3 Credit Reporting Agencies © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Identity Protection Shopping Online © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Safety Tips for Shopping Online Know the real deal Get all details before buying including prices, delivery time, warranty information, and return policies. Look for clues about security Make sure the browser states “https” or “shttp” indicating it is secure. Use a credit card Credit cards are the safest way because a person has the legal right to dispute charges. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Safety Tips for Shopping Online Use an escrow service An escrow service will hold a person’s money until confirmation of the product or services has been received. Keep proof handy Print and file all information in case needed later. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Escrow Service Steps © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Web of Deceit- Postal Service DVD https://archive.org/details/gov.uspis.web_of_deceit © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

What to Do if Identity Theft Happens © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

Immediate Steps Act immediately! Close all accounts which have been tampered with or opened fraudulently Keep a detailed record of correspondence and phone records. Contact the three major credit bureaus and request a “fraud alert.” Follow with a letter sent by certified mail. File a police report. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona