Understanding and Preventing

 Acquiring someone’s identifying information and impersonating them for gain

 Check washing  Dumpster diving  Mail theft  Check creation software  Online information theft

 Open credit cards  Make purchases illegally  Apply for loans  Gain unauthorized access to physical locations  Take over financial accounts  Establish services with phone or utility companies

 Name  Social Security Number  Credit Card Account Numbers  Mother’s Maiden Name  Date of Birth

 Remove mail promptly (Take out-going mail to post office)  Do not give personal information over the phone  Shred:  Credit card applications  Receipts  Bills  Financial documents

 Inform Police and Postal Inspector  Contact bank and ask to have account flagged  Call credit card fraud units  Register a Fraud Alert/Victim Impact statement  Ask creditor for contact before opening new account  Call the Federal Trade Commission