|
What is identity
theft?
"Identity theft is when someone uses your personal
information without permission to open fraudulent credit card accounts, access existing accounts, secure loans, and
even obtain employment. Criminals go through
trash cans, spy on you at ATM's, access public records, and even steal
your mail. Previously, criminals stole your
wallet for cash. Now they want your wallet to steal your good name. Protect yourself and your identity."
-John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General
What is personal information?
Any information that an imposter could use to commit
fraud, such as a social security number, birth date, driver's license number, mother's maiden name, or bank account or
credit card number.
Protect yourself.
- Consider installing a locked mailbox or using a post office
box.
|
- If you place an order for checks or merchandise, arrange to
pick them up rather than have them delivered.
|
- Do not leave mail for the postal carrier to pick up. Mail your
bills and other sensitive items at the post office.
|
- Remove your name from the marketing lists of the three credit
bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. This will limit the
number of pre-approved offers of credit that you receive. You can
do this by calling toll-free, (888)5-OPT-OUT.
|
- Sign up for the direct Market Association's Mail Preference
Service and Telephone Preference Service. This will delete your
name from members' marketing lists for up to five years.
|
- Watch the mail closely when you expect a new or reissued
credit card to arrive.
|
Check your credit report.
A criminal may pose as an employer, loan officer, or
landlord to request a copy of your credit report in an effort to access personal information. Order a copy of your
credit report at least once a year from each of
the three credit bureaus to check for inaccuracies or fraudulent use of
accounts.
Be careful with credit cards.
- Reduce the number of credit cards you actively use and cancel
the accounts that are not used.
|
- Keep a list of your credit cards, account numbers, and
customer service telephone numbers in a secure place. You will
need to contact those creditors if your cards are stolen.
|
- NEVER give out your credit card numbers or bank account
numbers over the telephone unless YOU initiated the call. Don't
fall for telephone scams demanding your account numbers.
|
- Always take your credit card receipt with you after a
transaction. Never throw the receipt away without properly
shredding it.
|
- Check your billing statements each month for unauthorized
charges. If you do not receive your bill on time, contact your
creditor. It may be that a fraudulent change of address was filed
with the creditor or the post office without your knowledge.
|
- NEVER write your account numbers on checks or the outside of
envelopes.
|
- Shield your hand when entering your PIN at an ATM or when
making long distance calls with your calling card. Identity
thieves have been know to spy on their victims with binoculars or
video cameras.
|
- If any of your credit card issuers send random-issue
convenience checks, request in writing to be removed from those
mailing lists.
|
- Request, in writing, that the issuer of each of your credit
cards remove your name from their promotional lists which they may
sell or share with other companies.
|
This page was adapted from the article, "Identity Theft," prepared
by the Texas Bar Journal.
For more information, call (800) 252-8011 or visit
www.oag.state.tx.us .
|