1. Protecting Your Credit Identity
Identity Theft
Protecting Your Credit Identity
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

2. Identity Theft
IDENTITY THEFT occurs when someone wrongfully acquires and uses a consumer’s personal identification, credit, or account information.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

3. Identity Crisis-Postal Service DVD
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

4. Identity Theft
$230,000,000,000 lost in identity theft each year around the world.
8.3 million cases in the U.S. in 2005
Federal Trade Administration
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

5. Personal Identification Information Includes
Name
Address and Telephone Number
Social Security number
Driver’s license number
Bank account numbers
Credit card numbers
Passwords
Bills
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

6. How Information Can Be Used
To apply for a new driver’s license
To open new bank accounts
To apply for credit cards or store credit accounts
To obtain cash with bank cards
To get a job
To rent an apartment
To make retail purchases
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

7. Identity Theft How Identity Theft Occurs & Prevention
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

8. Mail
Prevention:
Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes not unsecured mailboxes.
Promptly remove mail from mailboxes.
If on vacation, put a hold on mail.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

9. Wallets and Pocketbooks
Prevention:
Don’t leave it in plain site.
Don’t hang from chair at public place.
Use a purse which closes securely.
Carry only what is absolutely needed.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

10. Bills Dumpster Diving Prevention: Don’t leave statements lying around.
steal bills containing consumer’s name, address, phone number, bank or credit account numbers, or social security.
Prevention:
Don’t leave statements lying around.
Pay attention to billing cycles and follow up if bill does not arrive on time.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

11. Passwords Prevention: Don’t give password to anyone.
Don’t write passwords down where others may find them.
Create unique passwords using a combination of numbers and letters.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

12. Work Records Prevention:
Ensure personal records are locked securely with limited access by employees.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

13. Pre-Approved Credit Cards
Prevention:
Shred any credit card offers received and not used.
Cut up any pre-approved credit cards not used.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

14. Bank Account Information
Prevention:
Don’t leave statements lying around.
Use passwords.
Don’t have checks mailed home. Pick them up at the bank.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

15. Social Security Number
Prevention:
Never give our social security number.
Ask for alternate number on driver’s license, insurance cards, and other materials.
Do not carry social security card unless necessary.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

16. ATM, Credit and Debit Cards
Prevention:
Don’t leave cards lying around.
Carry only those which will be used.
Use debit cards which require a PIN number.
Carry cards in separate holder from wallet.
Sign back of cards stating “Please see I.D.”
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

17. ATM, Credit and Debit Cards
Prevention cont.:
Have a list of all cards and account numbers.
Don’t give out account number unless making a purchase.
Keep track of all receipts.
Destroy papers with card numbers on them.
Check statements for unauthorized charges.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

18. Phone/Internet
Phishing- scam claiming to be a legitimate business requesting personal information
Prevention
Never give out personal info over the phone
links
Links go to copy cat sites
Type in website address yourself
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

19. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

20. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

21. Postal Service DVD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nry8QVFBESE
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

22. Credit Reports
Credit Reports – report that includes all the accounts a person has, social security number, & personal information.
Prevention:
Check credit report once per year.
Don’t leave reports lying around.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

23. 3 Credit Reporting Agencies
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

24. Identity Protection Shopping Online
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

25. Safety Tips for Shopping Online
Know the real deal
Get all details before buying including prices, delivery time, warranty information, and return policies.
Look for clues about security
Make sure the browser states “https” or “shttp” indicating it is secure.
Use a credit card
Credit cards are the safest way because a person has the legal right to dispute charges.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

26. Safety Tips for Shopping Online
Use an escrow service
An escrow service will hold a person’s money until confirmation of the product or services has been received.
Keep proof handy
Print and file all information in case needed later.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

27. Escrow Service Steps
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

28. Web of Deceit- Postal Service DVD
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

29. What to Do if Identity Theft Happens
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

30. Immediate Steps Act immediately!
Close all accounts which have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
Keep a detailed record of correspondence and phone records.
Contact the three major credit bureaus and request a “fraud alert.”
Follow with a letter sent by certified mail.
File a police report.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

31. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

32. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

33. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised October 2004 – Consumer Protection Unit – Identity Theft
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona