WHAT EXACTLY IS IDENTITY THEFT?

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity Theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security Number, or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Individual identity theft victims may experience a severe loss in their ability to utilize their credit and their financial identity. This loss can be short in duration, or may extend for years. It may result in the inability to cash checks, obtain credit, purchase a home or, in the most insidious cases, the arrest of the individual for crimes committed by the identity thief.

Indications of Identity Theft
The following occurrences are some of the indications of identity theft:
Charges occurring on your accounts that you did not authorize.
If your credit is denied due to poor credit ratings, despite good credit history.
If you are contacted by creditors regarding amounts owed for goods or services that you never obtained or authorized.
If your credit card and bank statements are not received in the mail as expected.
If a new or renewed credit card is not received.

Identity Theft/Fraud Prevention Measures
Everyone should be aware of measures that can be taken to either prevent or minimize their chances of becoming a victim of fraud. Some of these measures are as follows:
NEVER give personal information via telephone, mail or Internet, unless you initiated the contact.
Store personal information in a safe place.
Shred credit card receipts and/or old statements before discarding in a garbage can - - If you don’t have a shredder, then use scissors.
Protect PINs and passwords.
Carry only the minimum amount of identifying information.
Remove your name from mailing lists for pre-approved credit lines or telemarketers.
Order and closely review annual copies of your credit report from each national credit reporting agency (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). You will find contact information for all three agencies attached.
Request the Department of Safety to assign an alternate driver’s license number if it currently features your Social Security Number.
Ensure that your PIN numbers cannot be observed by anyone while utilizing an ATM or public telephone.
Close all unused credit card or bank accounts.
Contact your creditor or service provider if expected bills do not arrive.
Check account statements carefully.
Guard your mail from theft.