Discussion Topics What is Identity Theft? Ways to Commit Identity Theft How Identity Thieves uses Victim’s Information Guarding your personal Information What to do if you become a Victim

What is Identity Theft? Identity Theft is passing your self as another person How can you take over someone’s identity? Act like them Talk like them Look like them Idea of imitating someone so perfectly is very difficult

What is Identity Theft? In today’s world no one has to mimic the way you look, talk or walk Identity is wrapped up in a string of numbers –Driver license number –Birth date –Credit card number –Bank account number –SSN (Considered as a Gold mine)

Ways to Commit Identity Theft Steal the information which uniquely Identifies you –SSN –Driver License Number –Checking Account –Credit Card Number –Personal information Mother maiden name, Pin/Password

Ways to Commit Identity Theft Identity Thieves don’t have break into your house to get your personal information –Over the Internet –Your garbage –Your mail –Over the phone –Or any unprotected information

Ways to Commit Identity Theft On the Internet –Hacking –Virus or Worm –Trojan Horse –SPAM –Spoofing

Ways to Commit Identity Theft Getting Data from Garbage –Dumpster Driving Stealing Mail –Pre approved Credit offers –Bank statements, checks –Tax information –Telephone Calling cards

Ways to Commit Identity Theft Using a Phone –Calling your house and pretending to be someone from your Bank your Credit card company

How Identity Thieves uses Victim’s Information Once Identity Thief has obtain your Identity, they can do anything that they want. They do the work and Victim gets blamed Apply for new credit card Buy a New Car Open new Bank account Apply for Loan Open new cell phone account Buy anything that they want

How Identity Thieves uses Victim’s Information With a help of technology, Identity Thieves get an invisibility power They can sit behind a computer and apply for credit, once they have got credit then go on a shopping spree. Smart Identity thieve can work for years with out being caught. Once they have burden you with Bills, they go find another victim.

Guarding your personal Information There is no single way to stop this crime from happening to you but you can take some steps to prevent it –Get a Firewall and Anti-Virus protection –Go to secures sties to do shopping Look for “https” while providing personal information –Never give out password or credit card while chatting

Guarding your personal Information Do not keep your SSN in your wallet Take out your SSN from your Driver’s License Do not have Driver License number or SSN printed on your Checks

Guarding your personal Information Once a year ask for your credit report from these agencies. Credit report only cost about 20 to 30 dollars. Trans Union ( ) - Equifax ( ) - Experian ( ) -

What to do if you become a Victim Cancel all the Credit cards you own –Bankcard (Cash Station Card) –Gas Card –Video Card –Department store card –Any other cards where you do financial transaction

What to do if you become a Victim Contact Credit report agency –Agency will put your account on credit fraud alert Most of all the credit card company offers you fraud protection plan, which only covers single account, there are company which covers your entire identity –PromiseMarkPromiseMark

Identity Theft is a crime Questions