1. Fraud: Identity Theft G.1 List and explain consumer protection laws, including credit reporting, debt collection, and privacy. G.2 Define common, unfair and deceptive practices such as: bait and switch, usury, identity theft, deceptive service estimates, fraudulent misrepresentations. www.jhu.edu

2. It occurs when someone steals your personal information – e.g., credit card or Social Security number – and uses it fraudulently. It can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.

3. Personal morals of individual person. Poor Internal Controls Someone is experiencing financial difficulties Situational Pressures Available Opportunities Rationalization

4. Identity thieves may: Go through your trash or “dumpster dive” Steal your wallet or purse Steal your mail or submit a change of address form for your mail Use “phishing” or fake emails to get you to provide personal information Steal personnel records from their employers www.office.microsoft.com

5. What Can You Do? DETER Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information. DETECT Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements. DEFEND Defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem. www.gjha.com

6. Shred financial documents before discarding them Protect your Social Security number Don’t give out personal information unless you’re sure who you’re dealing with Don’t use obvious passwords Keep your information secure

7.  On top of running up charges on a credit card, identity thieves may also use your personal information to get:  New credit cards  Wireless phone accounts  Cable  Utility services  Loan  Government benefits  Medical services

8.  Notify the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion  Notify any businesses where the thief used your personal data.  File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.  Consider filing a report with local police so you can provide a copy to creditors.

9.  The police will help you provide a copy to creditors.  However, you may not need to file a report with the police if you can work with companies to resolve any inaccurate information.

10.  It depends on many factors including the type of theft, whether the thief is caught and if there are problems related to correcting your credit report.

11. Be alert  Mail or bills that don’t arrive.  Denials of credit for no reason. Inspect your credit report  Law entitles you to one free report a year from each nationwide credit reporting agencies if you ask for it  Online: www.AnnualCreditReport.com; by phone: 1-877-322-8228;www.AnnualCreditReport.com or by mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 Inspect your financial statements  Look for charges you didn’t make.

12. Work Cited  Adamson, John. Law for Business and Personal Use. Mason: South-Western, 2004  Cashman, Shelly. Microsoft Office Publisher 2003. Boston: Course Technology, 2004. pg. 330.  Microsoft Software Forum Network.  http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=126220 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=126220  Welcome to Publisher 2003! Course Boston: Course Technology, 2004. http://www.scsite.com/off2003/index.cfm?action=product&p roduct=Publisher http://www.scsite.com/off2003/index.cfm?action=product&p roduct=Publisher  www.gjha.org/images/Fraud.gif (pictures) www.gjha.org/images/Fraud.gif