ID-Theft FaceOff

The Federal Employee Service Center IDENTITY-THEFT
FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Five Startling facts about Identity Theft
Some 17% of U.S. consumers have fallen as Victims to Identity Theft

Nearly 28% of American households have been affected by ID Theft as a consequence of a relations misfortune

Credit Card fraud accounts for 20% of all ID Theft cases.

Other major forms of ID Theft include selling of stolen personal information, such as Social Security and Bank account numbers.

Debit card fraud accounts for some 16% of ID Theft cases.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, such as your Name, Social Security number, or Credit Card number, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Fact!

The FTC states that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year,

You or someone that you know may have experienced some form of Identity Theft.

The crime takes many forms:

Thieves may rent an apartment in your nameObtain a credit cardTelephone account, etc..

You may not know until it is too late. You need to run an annual credit report each year!

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Identity Theft is SERIOUS!

Some Identity Theft Victims can resolve problems quickly

Others spend Hundreds maybe Thousands to repair their good name and credit record

Lose out on Job opportunities

Denied loans for Education, Cars, Housing because of Negativity In some rare cases. You may even be arrested.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
How do thieves steal your Identity?

Remember Your name, Social Security, Other Financial Account information

Skilled Thieves may use a variety of methods

Dumpster Diving

Skimming special storage device

Phishing Pretend to be Financial Institutions, send spam, pop-up messages Changing Your Address Old-Fashion Stealing

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Information from Businesses or other Institutions

Stealing records or information while on the job

Bribing an employee who has access to these records

Hacking these records

Conning information out of employees

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Stealing your mail

Bank statements

Credit card offers

New Checks

Tax information

Credit reports by abusing their Employers authorized access

Posing as a land lord, employer, or someone else with legal access to your report

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Swipe your card for an actual purchase

Attach a device to an ATM machine

Strangers who enter you home

Steal info thru emails

Phone posing as legitimate companies that you have a problem with account Phishing online or Pretexting by phone

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft

Medical Identity Theft is a twist on traditional identity theft, which happens when someone steals your personal information..

Like traditional Identity Theft, Medical ID Theft can affect your finances, but it can also take a toll on your health.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft Ill Effects

You get a bill for medical services you didnt receive

A debt collector contacts you about medical debt you owe

You order a copy of your Credit Report and see Medical collection notices

Try to make legitimate insurance claims / Health Ins. Company Denies you

Denied Insurance because your medical records showed a condition that you didnt have.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity TheftEvery time a Thief uses your Identity

A medical record is created by the imposters medical Info.

Maybe created a:

Different Blood Type

An inaccurate history of drug or alcohol abuse

Test results that arent yours!

Or maybe a diagnosis of an illness, allergies, or condition that is not yours

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft Prevention

Never give out you personal or medical information over the phone!

Always beware of Free healthcare services or products from providers where your ID is required

Always Shred your Medical, Prescriptions, and Physician statements. Review them regularly

Beware of Imposters! Might pose as an Ins. Co. Rep., Doctors office, Clinics, Pharmacies, Govt Employees

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft

Safe Guard your Medical & Health Insurance Information

Secure medical / Health Ins. papers Drawer /Safe/Electronic

If asked for Ids, Social Security #, Ins acct Info. Asked if It will be shared.

Look at website privacies policies and read them, what others have access to the information

If you decide to share your info online; Look for (Lock Icon) on the browsers status or a URL that begins https. The S is for secure. Remember that email is not secure..

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Fact: REVIEW YOUR HEALTH RECORDS!

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

Rule you the right to copies of your records that are maintained by Insurance and Health care providers covered by the law.

Generally are required to give them to you with in 30 days.

You need to contact each provider, not like Credit Report Might charge a fee! Keep track of communications, including copies of postage, certified receipts, etc.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Obtain a Copy of Disclosures for you medical records from your Health plan and providers

The law allows you to order one Free Copy of the accounting from each provider every 12 months!

The accounting is a record of:

The date of the disclosure

The name of the person or entity who received the information

brief description of the information disclosed

A brief statement of the purpose of the disclosure or copy of the Request for It

You want to follow& create the paper trail to be sure that is it accurate. www.hhs.gov/ocr

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Health Care Identity Theft Bouncing Back!

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by calling 1-877- ID-THEFT (438-4338) TTY 1-866-653-4261

File a report with the local Police, send copies to your Health plans Fraud Department. Notify the three credit reporting agencies. How to File a Police Report www.ftc.gov/idtheft/consumers/defend.html

Exercise you rights under HIPPA to correct errors! Write to your Carriers. You may want to include any claims in question on your statements, also your complete name and address along with a letter disputing the information. Send Certified

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Fraud Alert Security Freeze

1) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com Fraud Victim Assistance Division P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

2) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

3) Experian: 1-6888-EXPERIAN ( 397-3742)www.experian.com P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Security Freeze (Credit Freeze)

Is a warning to businesses or others who may use your credit file.

Locks down your credit, blocks access, makes it less likely for thief to open up new accounts

Placing a credit Freeze does not affect your score..

Remember!

Credit reporting companies are not required to Share a request for a Security Freeze as they are with a Fraud Alert

Some states Security freezes are Free for victims, in others, consumer must pay a fee of $10.00. Each credit reporting company also charges this fee.

If you have a valid police report about the theft; you can usually place or lift a freeze.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

ID-Theft Face-Off
FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011

Looks like trouble, Arent you wondering why youre suddenly getting phone calls about overdue bills for purchases you never made possible?

Someone has stolen your identity!
FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011

But dont lose your cool: in this game, you can get your identity back- just by correctly answering a few true/false questions about Identity Theft. Each time you get an answer correct, you can start to put your identity back together. If you correctly answer six out of eight questions, your full Identity is restored!
FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 1
If someone has stolen information about your financial accounts, its best to wait for several weeks to see what they do with it before taking any action?
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
If someone has stolen information about your financial accounts, its best to wait for several weeks to see what they do with it before taking any action?
FALSE
False is it! Your best step is to contact your credit card companies and close your accounts. Also, talk with your bank about whether to close other accounts or take other steps. And check out www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
Question 1

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 2
If the stolen information includes your Social Security Number, you can place an Initial Fraud Alert by calling one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies.
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
If the stolen information includes your Social Security Number, you can place an Initial Fraud Alert by calling one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies.
TRUE
Right on! Placing such an alert can help stop someone from opening new accounts in your name.
Question 2

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 3
One of the best ways to protect your identity is by using online passwords only you would know like your mothers maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
One of the best ways to protect your identity is by using online passwords only you would know like your mothers maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
FALSE
Indeed, thats an incorrect statement. Crooks can often find this type of information about you and then, its So long, Identity! Its better you use random numbers and letters, and commit them to memory.
Question 3

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 4
The best way to get a free copy of your credit report is to file a Freedom of information Act (FOIA) Request.
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
The best way to get a free copy of your credit report is to file a Freedom of information Act (FOIA) Request.
FALSE
You are so right! The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to ask for and receive one free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months.
Question 4

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 5

The name of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies are Equinox, ExperiCorps, and TransAmerica.
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011

The name of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies are Equinox, ExperiCorps, and TransAmerica.
FALSE
Good Eye! The actual names are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If youd like a free annual credit report, visit annualcreditreport.com
Question 5

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 6
If the stolen information includes your drivers license or other government-issued ID, all you need to do is create a facsimile using a recent color photo.
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
If the stolen information includes your drivers license or other government-issued ID, all you need to do is create a facsimile using a recent color photo.
FALSE
You got it that answer is false! You should immediately contact the agency that issued the document, and follow its procedures to cancel the stolen documents and get a replacement.
Question 6

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 7
Identity Theft refers only to the theft of Drivers licenses and Name badges.
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Identity Theft refers only to the theft of Drivers licenses and Name badges.
FALSE
BINGO! While those are types of identity theft, the term refers to a bound variety of criminal misuses of your name, Social Security Number, and Financial information.
Question 7

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 8
If someone has stolen your identity, and then you notice youre no longer receiving bills from creditors, this is a sign that your identity has been restored.
TRUEFALSE

FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011
Question 8
If someone has stolen your identity, and then you notice youre no longer receiving bills from creditors, this is a sign that your identity has been restored.
FALSE
Youre RIGHT! This is a false statement. If bills stop coming, it may be a sign of Hijacking your identity, and changing the address your bills are being sent to.

FESC ID-Theft 2011

Congratulations on regaining your Identity!
FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011

Thank You!The Federal Employee Service CenterServing Federal & Government Employees

1-(888)- 206-3352

www.FederalBenefitAnalysis.org
FESC ID-Theft 2011

FESC ID-Theft 2011