Presentation given 1/19/12 at Berkeley Public Library.

1. IDENTITY THEFT
When bad things happen to your
good name
Presented By:

2. Topics we will discuss:
What is ID Theft?
Facts and Statistics
How thieves get the information
and how they use your identity
It can happen to you
Prevention
Take action if you are a victim
Resources to assist you

3. IDENTITY THEFT
What is Identity Theft?
It occurs when someone steals your personal information –
e.g., credit card or Social Security number – and uses it
fraudulently
It can cost you time and money
It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name

9. How Thieves Get Your Personal
Information
They Steal it!

10. Information needed to steal your
Identity
Name Employment
Address Past Addresses
Social Security Number Account Numbers
Telephone Number Children’s Names
Mother’s Maiden Name Family Information

11. Goldmine Information
Social Security Card
Birth Certificate
Passport
Pistol Permit
Medical Cards
Student ID w/social Security Number*

12. It can happen to you
Traditional methods to obtain information
Shoulder Surfing
Dumpster Diving
Pre-approved credit card promotional
material
Steal your mail or submit a change of
address form for your mail
Pick Pocket
Purse Snatch

13. IDENTITY THEFT
It can happen to you
ATM and Skimmers

14. IDENTITY THEFT
It can happen to you

15. IDENTITY THEFT
It can happen to you

16. IDENTITY THEFT
It can happen to you

17. IDENTITY THEFT
It can happen to you

18. It can happen to you
Other methods to obtain information
Phishing and Pharming
Spy Ware
Spoofing, Spamming
Vishing
Skimming

22. What thieves do:
Open credit Card Accounts
Buy Property
Order Merchandise
Borrow Money
Commit Criminal Acts
File False Loan Applications
Declare Bankruptcy

23. Prevention
Shred financial documents before discarding them
Protect your Social Security number
Don’t use obvious passwords
Keep your information secure
Order a copy of your credit report every year
Copy contents of your wallet and keep them safe
Don’t give out personal information unless you’re sure who
you’re dealing with

24. Computer Prevention
Avoid clicking on links sent in unsolicited e-mails
Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software
Be suspicious of malware
Visit www.onGuardOnline.gov for more information

25. Prevention: Be Alert
Be alert
– Mail or bills that don’t arrive
– Denials of credit for no reason
Inspect your credit report
– Law entitles you to one free report a year from each nationwide
– credit reporting agencies if you ask for it
– Online: www.AnnualCreditReport.com; by phone: 1-877-322-8228;
– or by mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box
105281,
– Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Inspect your financial statements
– Look for charges you didn’t make

26. Take action if you are a victim
FIRST: Contact your creditors
– Document and follow up in writing
Close accounts that have been tampered with or were opened
fraudulently
– This includes credit and banking accounts
Contact your Credit Union

27. Take Action
TWO: File a police report and get a copy of the report. This will
be a POWERFUL tool
– Provide documentation to prove your case
– Be persistent

28. Take Action
THREE: Order a copy of your credit report:
www.annualcreditreport.com
Contact the fraud departments at the credit reporting agencies
Equifax – 800-525-6285
Experian – 888-397-3742
TransUnion – 800-680-7289
Place fraud alert on your credit report
You will automatically receive a free copy of your credit report from
each of the credit reporting agencies

29. Take action: Fraud Alerts
Initial fraud alert
– Stays on your file for 90 days
– A free copy of your credit report from all three
bureaus
Extended fraud alert
– Stays on your file for seven years
– Have to provide an identity theft report
– Two free copies of your credit report from each of the
three bureaus in a 12-month period

30. Take Action
FOUR:File a complaint with the FTC by contacting the FTC’s
identity theft hotline: 1-877-IDTHEFT
Or online at: www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Verify your address with post office to ensure it has not been
changed

31. Resources to assist you
Federal Trade Commission:
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
U.S. Department of Justice:
www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/website/idtheft.html
The Internet Crime complaint center
www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse:
http://www.privacyrights.org

32. Resources to assist you
Experian: http://www.experian.com
Equifax: http://www.equifax.com
TransUnion: http://www.transunion.com
Free Credit Report: http://www.annualcreditreport.com

33. Questions?