Parachute Neighborhood Watch Presentation February 9, 2010

 Identity theft is defined as the process of using someone else’s personal information for your own personal gain.

 On the rise affecting 10 million victims in 2008 up 22% from 2007  Victims are spending less to correct; $500/person  71% happens within a week of documents etc. stolen  Wallets and physical documents accounts for 43% of all ID theft; 11% online

 1 in 10 US consumers already have been a victim  1.6 million households experienced fraud not related to credit cards ( i.e. bank accounts or debit cards were compromised  $50 billion in damages

 47% have trouble getting credit or loans  19% have higher credit rates and 16% have higher insurance rates  11% say have a negative impact on ability to get jobs  70% have trouble getting rid of negative info on their records  40% experience stress in family lives as a result of displaced anger and frustrations over ID theft.

 45% feel denial or disbelief  85% feel anger and rage  45% feel defiled  42% feel inability to trust people  60% feel unprotected by police.

 38-48% discover within 3 months  9-18% don’t find out for 4 + years  50.2 million use credit monitoring services

 Credit Card fraud 26%  Utilities fraud 18%  Bank fraud 17%  Employment fraud 12%  Loan fraud 5%  Other 13%

 From businesses or other institutions  Steal your mail  Rummage through your trash  Get your credit reports  “Skimming”  Steal wallet or purse  Through or phone  Mail order

 Call credit card companies to change billing address  Open new accounts  Establish phone or wireless service in your name  Open bank accounts  Counterfeit checks etc..  File for bankruptcy  Buy car  Get job  Give police name during arrest

 Financial accounts  Social Security numbers  Driver’s license/other government issued identification

 Place fraud alerts on your credit report  Closing accounts  Filing a police report  Filing a complaint with the FTC  Tips for organizing your case  Chart your course of action

 Bank Accounts  Correcting info on Credit Reports  Credit Cards  Driver’s License  Mail Theft  Phone Fraud  Tax Fraud

 Review your credit reports once every three months for first year and then once a year thereafter  Look for other signs  Failure to receive bills or other mail  Receiving credit cards that you didn’t apply for  Being denied credit  Calls from debt collectors

 What to do NOW!  Place passwords on CC, bank and phone accounts  Secure personal info in your home  Ask about security procedures in workplace etc..

 Treat mail and trash carefully  Don’t carry your SSN card; leave in secure place  Only give SSN when absolutely necessary  Cary only ID, credit and debit cards you’ll actually use when going out  Be cautious when responding to promotions  Keep purse or wallet in safe place at work  When ordering new check pick up from BANK ONLY