Identity Theft:
Prevention, Detection
Presented by
Manny Madruga
Security Tips
Be aware of stand alone
Security Tips
Trust your instincts. If anything --
anything at all -- looks out of place on
an ATM, don't use it.
Look for mirrors, leaflet holders
or anything else around the ATM.
The machine should be free from
anything like that, so add-ons are
another huge red flag.
Security Tips
Guard your PIN carefully. As most
skimmers require two pieces of information from you, the PIN is something you can at least stop them from getting. You may seem a little paranoid to anyone waiting in line
behind you, but who cares? Just cover your actions by cupping one hand over the
Security Tips
Take advantage of the debit card
cash-back feature. When you're running low on
cash, and a grocery or convenience store will give you cash back if you pay for your purchase with a debit card.
Become a creature of habit and use the
same ATM each time. This won't protect
you from encountering a skimmer, but
you're much more likely to notice something fishy.
Security Tips
Look for ATMs with video
surveillance.
Beware of ATMs that are off the
beaten path.
Don't be afraid to poke and prod
the ATM. If something looks odd,
investigate.
Be suspicious if entrance security not
Security Tips
Never use an ATM if someone is
offering to help you with it. That may
seem really obvious, but thieves can dress as technicians or bank tellers.
Do not provide ANY information to
someone while at an ATM about your transaction or if they are asking for help with their transaction.
Remember this!
U.S. Secret Service estimates that
annual losses from ATM fraud totaled
about $1 billion in 2008, or about
$350,000 each day. Card skimming,
where the fraudster affixes a bogus
card reader on top of the real reader,
accounts for more than 80 percent of
ATM fraud.
craigslist tips
•
Ask to see the landlord's ID - record all the information you can from it.•
Use a browser to search for the person'sname who you're dealing with. Be sure to add quotes around their name. You could add the words "fraud" or "scam" at the end of your search terms.
•
Use reverse directory look up if the person has given you their telephone number. It's important to double check that they are who they say they are.•
Search online local property appraiser to look up property ownership for the apartment in question. Who really owns it? Is it the person you're dealing with? Or someone else?craigslist tips
•
Scan any provided photographs carefully. Do they match up with what you've seen inperson? Do they look like they all came from the same place?
•
They don't ask for an application orpermission to check your credit? That's a red flag!
•
Considering the current state of our economy and the rise in foreclosures, ask the landlord if they're current on their mortgagepayments, and then get their answer in writing.
•
Consider using another method for obtaining a rental, i.e. real estate agent, going through a rental agency, etc...craigslist scam 2 (Nigerian 419)
•
Someone will answer an online posting for a property and ask to pay by check or anequivalent money wiring service. If the landlord takes the bait, and many do, the renter will
"accidently" pay too much. The renter will
apologize and ask for the extra funds to be sent back to them. If the landlord doesn't wait for the payment to clear the bank and sends the
Local variation of 419
•
Ad posted for live in nanny.•
Offers room and board in home being remodeled and salary.•
Poster is moving to Key West soon.•
In good faith they send check for your first month salary to help them get home fixed up plus money for a contractor.•
Ask you to wire money to contractor theyfound willing to do work locally cheaper than local workers as long as he can stay in home.
•
You deposit check keeping your salary and wire money to contractor.•
Check bounces, you are out the money and never hear from the poster ever again.Common elements of 419
•
You are contacted via email
regarding a property.
•
The request comes from
outside your area.
•
There is a sense of urgency.
•
Third parties become involved.
•
You will be overpaid.
Ways to Protect Yourself
(not foolproof, no matter how hard you try)
1. Only Share Identity Information When Necessary
2. When in Public, Exercise Caution When Providing Identity Information 3. Do Not Carry Unnecessary Identity Information in a Purse or Wallet 4. Secure Your Mailbox
5. Secure Information on Your Personal Computer
6. Keep Financial and Medical Records in a Secure Location 7. Shred Nonessential Material Containing Identity Information 8. "Sanitize" the Contents of Garbage and Recycling
9. Ensure That Organizations Shred Identity Information 10. Remove Your Name from Mailing Lists
11. Carefully Review Financial Statements
Checking your credit report
How do I order my free report?
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion have set up a central website, telephone number, and mailing address for you to order your free annual report.
To order, visit www.annualcreditreport.com, call (877)322-8228, or complete the annual credit report request form available on the website and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
This website is the only authorized source for your free annual credit report. If you receive an email or see a pop-up ad claiming it is from www.annualcreditreport.com or any of the three consumer reporting companies, do not reply or click on any link in the message -- it may be a scam.
What information do I have to provide to get my free report?
You will need to provide your name, address. Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may need to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each consumer reporting company may ask you for some information that only you should know.
Mark A. Ober
State Attorney - Thirteenth Judicial Circuit 800 East Kennedy Blvd.
Is ID theft protection worth it?
Make sure services have really got you covered 03:46 PM CDT on Monday, April 16, 2007
By PAMELA YIP / pyip@dallasnews.com / The Dallas Morning News
TYPES OF PROTECTION CREDIT MONITORING
Offered by the three national credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.
Cost: $12.95 to $14.95 per month
What you get: Daily monitoring of your credit files at all three credit bureaus and notification within 24 hours of
changes to your credit report.
IDENTITY THEFT INSURANCE
May also be known as "identity restoration" or "identity recovery."
Cost: Up to $50 a year, or free as part of your homeowners' or auto insurance policy.
What you get: Covers expenses and provides services associated with restoring your identity.
LIFELOCK
Advertises itself as the total protection system.
Cost: $110 a year or $10 a month for adults.
What you get: LifeLock sets fraud alerts in your credit file and automatically renews them every 90 days. You get
copies of your credit reports, and the company will take you off lists to receive prescreened credit offers. If your identity is stolen, LifeLock will cover expenses such as lost wages, attorney fees, long-distance calls, postage and other miscellaneous costs, up to $1 million.
GET ON THE WEB DOWNLOAD THE F.T.C.
ID THEFT AFFIDAVIT
Mark A. Ober
State Attorney - Thirteenth Judicial Circuit 800 East Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Florida 33602
Credit Freeze
• A “freeze” is a tool available to consumers which prevents new creditors from viewing a credit report or score.
• This process locks the data at the consumer reporting agency
(Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) until an individual gives permission for the release of the data (thaw).
• It should be noted that companies you already have a business relationship with may view your credit report for account review purposes.
• Potential new creditors, insurance companies, landlords and some employers doing financial background checks will be told that your report is unavailable for viewing.
• In ITRC’s opinion a freeze is the best form of financial identity theft protection currently available, but it is by no means a guarantee of safety.
F.S. 501.005. Consumer
report security freeze
• (13)(a) A consumer reporting agency may charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed $10, to a consumer who elects to place, remove, or temporarily lift a security freeze on his or her consumer report.
• (b) A consumer reporting agency shall not charge any fee:
• 1. To a consumer 65 years of age or older for the initial placement or removal of a security freeze; or
• 2. To a victim of identity theft who has submitted, at the time the security freeze is requested, a copy of a valid investigative or
incident report or complaint with a law enforcement agency about the unlawful use of the victim's identifying information by another person.
501.005. Consumer report
security freeze
•
YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT USING A SECURITYFREEZE TO CONTROL ACCESS TO THE PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN YOUR CONSUMER
REPORT MAY DELAY, INTERFERE WITH, OR PROHIBIT THE TIMELY APPROVAL OF ANY SUBSEQUENT REQUEST OR APPLICATION YOU MAKE REGARDING A NEW LOAN, CREDIT, MORTGAGE, INSURANCE, GOVERNMENT
SERVICES OR PAYMENTS, RENTAL HOUSING,
EMPLOYMENT, INVESTMENT, LICENSE, CELLULAR PHONE, UTILITIES, DIGITAL SIGNATURE, INTERNET CREDIT CARD TRANSACTION, OR OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING AN EXTENSION OF CREDIT AT POINT OF SALE.
