Prepared for: Presented by: Risky Business 2012 Conference Tony La Rosa, Manager Mid-Iowa Credit Counseling Park Fair Mall 100 E. Euclid Ave., Ste. 157 Des Moines, IA Ph. #:

 What is Identity Theft  How They Get Your Information  3D Of Identity Theft: ◦ Deter ◦ Detect ◦ Defend  Getting Your Credit Report  The Cost of Identity Theft  How can we help  Questions and Answer

 Identity theft is when someone steal your personal information to use for fraudulent and criminal activities  They may use your personal information to ◦ Take out loans in your name ◦ Turn utilities on and not pay them ◦ Counterfeit checks ◦ Get new divers licenses with their picture ◦ They may give your name to the police during a arrest

 They get information from businesses  They steal your mail  They may rummage though your trash  They may steal your purse or wallet  They may pose as someone you know, like your banker or landlord and ask for personal information

 The Three D’s of Identity Theft are ◦ Deter identity theft by safeguarding your personal information ◦ Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial statements ◦ Defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem

Deter identity theft by following these simple guidelines  Shred important document before throwing them out  Protect your identity by not carrying your social security card with you  Don’t give out personal information to people you do not know over the phone, mail or internet  Keep your personal information in a safe secure place

Be alert for possible fraud by monitoring your accounts for  Mail that does not arrive  Unexpected credit card or account statements  Denial of credit for no reason  Calls or letters about purchase you made

Defend yourself from identity theft when you suspect a problem  Placing a fraud alert on your credit reports  Close accounts that have been tampered with  File reports with the police department and your financial institutions  File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and your state Attorney General Office

To protect your Consumer Rights, be sure to fully cooperate with  Law enforcement agencies  Banks or credit unions  Credit card companies  Utility companies  Collection agencies

Credit report may be damaged, resulting in:  Collection activities and law suits  Higher cost of credit, if at all  Higher cost of utilities, phone, insurance  Employment difficulties becomes limited  May not get the job you want  May not get better paying jobs or  May not be able to get a job

You can get a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from all three credit bureaus at  On the web at  By calling  Write toAnnual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box Atlanta, GA  You may also contact each credit bureaus at  Equifax:  Experian:  Trans Union:

1. Federal Trade Commission at 2. Contact Mid-Iowa Credit Counseling to arrange for a private intake appointment, Outside of Des Moines at

Questions And Answers

Date Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Complaint Department Company Name Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. The items I dispute are circled on the attached copy of the report I received. This item (identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors or court, and identify type of item, such credit, collection, judgment accounts etc.) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why ). I am requesting that the item be deleted (or specify another request). Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable to describe any enclosed, supporting documents such as payment receipts, court records, etc.) supporting my position. Please investigate my dispute and correct the error as soon as possible. Sincerely, Your name Enclosure: (list the items you enclosed)

Track Your Progress Name of Creditor Item in Question DateDescription of What Happened