1. Identity Theft The Dangers Involved and How It Affects You!

2. What is Identity Theft? Stealing another’s personal identification numbers for fraudulent purposes. Stealing another’s personal identification numbers for fraudulent purposes. Accessed From: Accessed From: -Social Security cards -Drivers license -Credit Cards

3. The Two Main Threats! True Name Theft: True Name Theft: -Used to open new accounts Account Takeover Theft: Account Takeover Theft: -Thief uses the information to access existing accounts.

4. Here’s How Its Done! Eavesdropping (Shoulder surfing) Eavesdropping (Shoulder surfing) Stealing Mail (Dumpster Diving) Stealing Mail (Dumpster Diving) Using personal identification from a computer (hacking) Using personal identification from a computer (hacking) Impersonating a company through electronic communication (phishing) Impersonating a company through electronic communication (phishing)

5. How Does Identity Theft Affect You? Convincing credit report agencies that you are a victim of identity theft Convincing credit report agencies that you are a victim of identity theft Little support from law agencies Little support from law agencies Emotional damage Emotional damage Debt Debt It may take months to convince creditors and even longer to return to normal. It may take months to convince creditors and even longer to return to normal.

6. How Can You Protect Yourself? Dispose of charge receipts and bank statements safely Dispose of charge receipts and bank statements safely Try not to use your SS# if possible when providing information. Try not to use your SS# if possible when providing information. Carry only the credit cards you REALLY need! Carry only the credit cards you REALLY need! When using PIN numbers, avoiding using birthdays, the last four digits of SS#, or your phone number. When using PIN numbers, avoiding using birthdays, the last four digits of SS#, or your phone number. Check your credit report! Check your credit report!

7. It Could Happen to You! (1997) A lady in Maryland was called from Nations Bank in Texas (now Bank of America) who were demanding that she pay a payment for a Jeep Cherokee that she never purchased. She explained that she has never lived in Texas, but only resided there for a short period of time while she was on active duty, where at that time she opened an account with the bank. Mysteriously, a thief accessed her account, later opening 33 fraudulent accounts at a total of $113,000. It took 6-8 hours a day calling credit agencies, trying to prove that she was a victim of identity theft. The law provided no help. It took over a year to clear all fraud accounts. The problems did not end there. So far, she has dealt with 14 collection agencies. The end is nowhere in sight. (1997) A lady in Maryland was called from Nations Bank in Texas (now Bank of America) who were demanding that she pay a payment for a Jeep Cherokee that she never purchased. She explained that she has never lived in Texas, but only resided there for a short period of time while she was on active duty, where at that time she opened an account with the bank. Mysteriously, a thief accessed her account, later opening 33 fraudulent accounts at a total of $113,000. It took 6-8 hours a day calling credit agencies, trying to prove that she was a victim of identity theft. The law provided no help. It took over a year to clear all fraud accounts. The problems did not end there. So far, she has dealt with 14 collection agencies. The end is nowhere in sight.