Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

FACTS

In the world:

• 9.9 million adults are victims of identity fraud annually.
• Nearly $50 billion is stolen from victims of identity theft every year.
• $4,849 is the average fraud amount per fraud victim.
• 25 hours per victim is the average time required to resolve identity theft and its consequences.
• 2.7 million experience a PIN compromise on either their ATM/debit or credit cards.
• Women are 26% more likely to be victims of identity fraud than men.
• 78% of identity information is obtained through traditional methods, such as lost or stolen wallets; misappropriation by family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors; and stolen mail or trash.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

• Use a paper shredder for important documents like credit applications, credit offers, insurance forms, physician statements, bank statements, and expired charge cards.
• Deposit outgoing mail in collection boxes located inside the post office.
• Promptly remove mail from your home or business mailbox.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card with you.
• Keep personal information in a safe and secure location at home.
• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or are sure you know with whom you are dealing.
• Create passwords that are random combinations of numbers, symbols, and both upper- and lowercase letters.
• Quiz your knowledge about identity theft.
• Order a free copy of your credit report every 12 months. Only access your report online via your own computer.
• Check your online bank statement on a regular basis.

YOU MATTER

When someone steals your name, social security number, and credit, they steal YOU. Victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for housing, cars, and education, and even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. Taking simple measures to protect yourself could save you time, money, credit damage, frustration, anger, and possibly humiliation. You protect your personal belongings. Why not protect your identity?

Comments

2 Responses to “Protect Yourself from Identity Theft”

1. Joan Grant says:

   July 26, 2008 at 12:37 pm

   I just experienced credit card fraud. While I was on vacation for a week, the limo driver who took me to the airport, used my credit card number to purchase over $16,000 in ’stuff’. Fortunately my bank was amazing and I wasn’t responsible for the charges. But, if this is a taste of identity theft…I don’t want it
2. Chad Cottle says:

   August 5, 2008 at 7:17 am

   I found it interesting that 63% of identity theft is committed by family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. I thought it would be higher. I was a victim this year. The perpetrator was my ex-wife. She opened a credit card in my name with my social security number without my consent. I didn’t know about it until the bank called me to ask why I hadn’t made a payment in four months. The amount in question was nearly $4,000. I spent about 20 hours attempting to resolve the problem. The bank was very patient with me and treated my identity theft claim as a legitimate claim. It took four months for them to complete their investigation and I was absolved of any responsibility for the credit card. I guess my ex-wife took responsibility for it after direct contact with the bank, but I don’t know how it turned out. It was removed from my credit history and everything turned out okay.

   My heart goes out to anyone else who has experienced identity theft.