Identity Theft

Identity Theft Who are you? How do you measure yourself? Is it the job you have, the title, the house or neighborhood where you live or maybe the buying power you potentially have if you chose to exercise it.

When that potential of "shop until you drop" is taken away, out of our reach, and possibly drops us to the bottom rung of the credit-acceptability ladder. Our measure changes measurably. Identity theft leaves a physical and psychological devastation to its victim. Being vigilant isn't always enough.

Identity theft occurs even when the burglar alarm is activated and the doors are locked. Do you shred your business and personal documents? Do you answer all the questions on warranty return cards? Do you dutifully recycle the "paper trash" ? Do you assume that everyone who could possibly see your information is as honest as you?

Take it from one who wears a "John Wayne white hat" but has gone dumpster diving for lunch-soiled bits of information.

Test yourself:

• Do you talk about personal information in public, and while on your cell phone?

• Do you balance your checkbook on the train or bus? · Are your passwords decorative sticky notes around your desk and computer?

• If the trash collector accidentally spilled your can, could he put on a suit and become you without your knowledge or anyone else's?

Consider this challenge. Become your favorite superhero: Batman, Green Hornet, Agent 86, Wonder Woman, Inspector Gadget, or Jim Rockford. Could you consciously and aggressively collect personal data on one or two people. Broaden your horizons, make it a real challenge by selecting persons with whom you have limited contact or you do not know. After a few days, have you learned enough to know their schedule and routine, follow them home, read through the trash before it is collected in the morning, and select the important mail from the mailbox? Just think, one or more of your colleagues may be using their sleuthing techniques on you. What information are you going to give away for the taking?

Unfortunately, when it is us, who are the targeted victims, we take on a persona of being invisible, impervious to such calamities. In this super -speed, information-now high-tech world, it could be the old fashioned frauds packaged in a new bottle that will trip us.

The Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse report of statistics places the number of victims at 86,168 for the year 2001. These are the categories fraudsters spent the victims' money:

1. Credit cards ranked highest with 42% usage to open new or pilfer existing accounts.

2. Phone or utility fraud scored 20% obtaining mostly new wireless accounts.

3. Bank fraud accounted for 13% of losses through new or existing accounts.

4. Employment- related fraud ranked at 9%.

5. Loan fraud scored 7%.

6. Government documents/benefits fraud weighed in at 6%.

7. Other types of identity theft totaled 19%.

Approximately 20% of all victims experienced more than one type of identity theft.

The FTC Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse ranks by state the number of identity theft victims. This is their top 10 list.

10. OHIO
9. NEW JERSEY
8. Michigan
7. Georgia
6. PENNSYLVANIA
5. Illinois
4. Florida
3. Texas
2. NEW YORK
1. California

The Consumer Data Industry Association reports that a false e-mail claimed that "anyone who requests it" could get personal information from credit reporting agencies. Federal law prohibits such a practice.

WHAT DO I DO?

First, prepare yourself not to be a victim!

Check your credit report - do all those accounts and balances correctly reflect your spending? Order a copy of your report: Equifax 800-685-1111, Experian 888-397-3742, or Trans Union 800-916-8800. Each of the three reports may not be the same. Creditors do not always report to all three bureaus.

Route through your own trash cans as though you were looking for a million dollars. Remember this could be the total of your losses.

Impress upon colleagues and family the importance of personal information remaining confidential.

Review your wallet or purse. Photocopy both the front and back of all credit cards, license, store cards, social security card, insurance cards, etc. This could limit the damage and provide you immediate access to notify authorities.

If you become a victim of identity theft, inform local police and get a copy of your police report.

Notify the three credit reporting agencies. Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA, 30374; Experian, PO Box 949, Allen, TX 75013; Trans Union, PO Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064.

A flag can be placed on your report so that anytime credit is attempted you can be notified. Anyone can place an 100 word statement on their own report to explain identity theft accounts or slow paying due to employment or health related problems.

File a complaint with your state Office of Attorney General or Consumer Protection Office. This complaint will be forwarded to the creditor for you to verify through a fraud affidavit that you are a victim of identity theft.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission, Identity Theft Clearinghouse, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580, 1877-ID- THEFT (438-4338).

Contact the US Postal Inspection Service or your local post office.

The Pennsylvania legislature has recently passed and soon to be in effect, a "Do Not Call List" bill. Consumers can call the PA Office of Attorney General hotline 1-800-441-2555 and ask to be placed on the list. This may cut down on telemarketers soliciting your money and some of your private information.

The credit reporting bureaus also have a hotline to request your name be removed from receiving pre-approved credit offers, call: Equifax 800-567-8688, Experian 800-353-0809, Trans union 800-680-7289.

BE PERSISTENT!

It could take years to correct all the new wrong information but you can speed the process by knowing what to do. PHONE SCAM- IT'S FOR YOU A rapidly spreading scam entices by email or phone message to return a call to a number with an area code of 809. This is not a United States area code. It is located in the British Virgin Islands (the Bahamas). The 809 are code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900 numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US it is not subject to regulation disclosing the cost of the call ,rates, or a time period to terminate the call without being charged. Even if you have a call block for 900 numbers on your phone, this may not prevent calls placed to 809 numbers. Contact your local phone company for more information and services available.