Identity Theft How it happens and how to avoid it

The Facts Roughly 15 million people are victims of identity theft every year in the U.S. (1 of every 20 people) Identity theft costs Americans a total of over $25 billion every year Victims may spend an average of 175 to 200 hours repairing the damage of an identity theft incident.

What Can an Identity Thief Do With Your Identity? Commit a crime under your name Apply for a driver’s license (with your name) Open credit card accounts under your name Obtain cash through your financial accounts. Purchase large and expensive items with your name Get a job under your name Rent an apartment under your name Get a phone or other utility under your name Create counterfeit checks with your name on them Receive medical treatment under your name – Video #2

Possible Signs of Identity Theft Purchases on your credit card that you didn’t make Money missing from you bank account – Video #3 Credit score is inexplicably low Important mail stops coming to you – Credit card bills

How Can You Keep This From Happening? The DO’s and DON’Ts of protecting your identity

DON’T Give out your social security number to people you don’t trust

DO Shred any unwanted mail or documents with your personal information

DON’T Give out personal information over the phone – Unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure you know who you are talking to

DO Shop at secure online stores –

DON’T Use the same password for all of your online accounts

DO Shred or cut up unused or expired credit cards

What to do if your identity has been stolen… File a police report Notify your bank and credit card companies Call the credit reporting agencies – Experian – TransUnion – Equifax

Other Ways to be Protected ID Protection services – Lifelock.com

Quick Review 1.True or False: It is always safe to give out personal info over the phone 2.True or False: ID thieves can’t cause you much harm 3.True or False: It is safe to use the same password for all of your online accounts 4.True or False: You should throw away unused or expired credit cards 5.True or False: You should only buy things online if the web site is secured