1. Identity Theft

2. Identity Theft is when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud. About 9 million Americans have their identities stolen every year. It can be done by:
Changing your address
Searching through trash
Stealing
Using a storage device on computers while your card is being processed
Pretending to be a company or financial institution

3. What Do I Do to Prevent Identity Theft?
SCAM:
- S: Be stingy- don’t give out your personal information (ex. Social Security Number) unless it is necessary and to someone trustworthy.
- C: Check financial accounts regularly for abnormal changes.
- A: Ask for a copy of your credit report. Review it regularly (at least once a year).
- M: Maintain your bank and financial records.

4. Different Types of Fraud
Type of Fraud
Example
Credit Card Fraud
Changing your billing address and then running up the charges on your account
Phone/Utilities Fraud
Opening a phone account under your name
Bank/Finance Fraud
Making a copy of your ATM or debit card and making withdrawals in your name
Government Documents Fraud
Using your name and Social Security number to get government benefits
Other Fraud
Getting a job using your Social Security number

5. What Do I Do If My Identity Has Been Stolen?
Activate fraud alert on your credit report.
Review your credit report more frequently.
Close any accounts that you think have been accessed.
File a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission.
File a complaint to the police station where the fraud occurred.

6. Examples of Identity Theft
A woman pleaded guilty to federal charges of using a stolen Social Security number to obtain thousands of dollars in credit and then filing for bankruptcy in the name of her victim.
A man was indicted, pleaded guilty to federal charges and was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for obtaining private bank account information about an insurance company's policyholders and using that information to deposit $764,000 in counterfeit checks into a bank account he established.
A woman was indicted and pleaded guilty to federal charges involving her obtaining a fraudulent driver's license in the name of the victim, using the license to withdraw more than $13,000 from the victim's bank account, and obtaining five department store credit cards in the victim's name and charging approximately $4,000 on those cards.