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

Protecting Your Credit Identity

Identity Theft

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

IDENTITY THEFT occurs when someone wrongfully acquires and uses a consumer’s personal identification, credit, or account information.

Identity Theft

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Identity Crisis-Postal Service DVD

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

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

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

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

• Name• Address and Telephone Number• Social Security number• Driver’s license number• Bank account numbers• Credit card numbers• Passwords• Bills

Personal Identification Information Includes

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

• 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

How Information Can Be Used

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

Identity Theft

How IdentityTheft Occurs

& Preventio

n

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

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.

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

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.

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

Bills

• Dumpster Diving– 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.

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

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.

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

Work Records

Prevention:• Ensure personal records are

locked securely with limited access by employees.

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

Pre-Approved Credit Cards

Prevention:• Shred any credit card offers

received and not used.• Cut up any pre-approved

credit cards not used.

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

Bank Account Information

Prevention:• Don’t leave statements lying

around.• Use passwords.• Don’t have checks mailed

home. Pick them up at the bank.

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

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.

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

ATM, Credit and Debit CardsPrevention:• 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.”

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

ATM, Credit and Debit CardsPrevention 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.

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

Phone/Internet

• Phishing- scam claiming to be a legitimate business requesting personal information

• Prevention– Never give out personal info over the

phone – E-mail links

• Links go to copy cat sites • Type in website address yourself

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Web of Deceit-Postal Service DVD

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

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

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.

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

Equifax P.O. box 105873 Atlanta, GA 30348

Report order:

1-800-685-1111

Fraud Hotline: 1-800-525-6285

www.equifax.com

Experian P.O. Box 2104

Allen, TX 75013-2104

Report Order: 1-888-397-3742

Fraud Hotline:

1-888-397-3745

www.experian.com

Trans Union P.O. Box 390

Springfield, P.A. 19064-0390 Report Order:

1-800-888-4213

Fraud Hotline: 1-800-680-7289

www.tuc.com

3 Credit Reporting Agencies

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

Identity Protection

ShoppingOnline

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

Safety Tips for Shopping Online

1. Know the real deal• Get all details before buying including

prices, delivery time, warranty information, and return policies.

2. Look for clues about security• Make sure the browser states “https”

or “shttp” indicating it is secure.

3. Use a credit card• Credit cards are the safest way

because a person has the legal right to dispute charges.

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

Safety Tips for Shopping Online

4. Use an escrow service• An escrow service will hold a person’s

money until confirmation of the product or services has been received.

5. Keep proof handy• Print and file all information in case

needed later.

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Truth or Consequences- Postal Service DVD

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

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

Identity Theft

What to Do if

Identity Theft

Happens

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

Immediate Steps

1. Act immediately!2. Close all accounts which have been

tampered with or opened fraudulently3. Keep a detailed record of

correspondence and phone records.4. Contact the three major credit

bureaus and request a “fraud alert.”1. Follow with a letter sent by certified

mail.

5. File a police report.6. File a complaint with the Federal

Trade Commission.