Preventive Steps:
- When creating passwords and PINs (personal identification numbers), do not use the last four digits of your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, your birth date, middle name, pet’s name, consecutive numbers or anything else that could easily be discovered by thieves. It’s best to create passwords that combine letters and numbers.
- Here’s a tip to create a password that is strong and easy to remember. Think of a favorite line of poetry, like “Mary had a little lamb.” Use the first or last letters to create a password. Use numbers to make it stronger. For example, MHALL, or better yet MHA2L!. The longer the string, the harder it is to crack.
- Never respond to “phishing” email messages. These appear to be from your bank, eBay, or PayPal. They instruct you to visit their web site, which looks just like the real thing. There, you are told to confirm your account information, provide your SSN, date of birth and other personal information. Legitimate financial companies never email their customers with such requests. These messages are the work of fraudsters attempting to obtain personal information in order to commit identity theft. (See example below.)
Example:
From: BankofAmerica [mailto:BankofAmerica@online.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:53 PM
Subject: Security update
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If this is not completed by September 7, 2007, we will be forced to suspend your ccount indefinitely, as it may have been used for fraudulent purposes. We thank you for your cooperation in this manner. To confirm your Online Banking records click on the following link: Thank you for your patience in this matter. Bank of America Customer Service Please do not reply to this e-mail as this is only a notification. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered. © 2007 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. |
***Note that this appears to be from a legitimate Bank of America email account; however, further investigation shows that the hyperlink advertised hides a different imbedded url address than the text that appears. It misleads victims to a scam website and records the private information that you provide.
· When shopping online, do business with companies that provide transaction security protection, and that have strong privacy and security policies. Always look for a secure url when making an online transaction (HTTPS://).
· Before disposing of your computer, remove data by using a strong “wipe” utility program. Do not rely on the “delete” function to remove files containing sensitive information.
- Be aware that file-sharing and file-swapping programs expose your computer to illegitimate access by hackers and fraudsters. If you use such programs, make sure you comply with the law and know what you are doing. Install and update strong firewall and virus protection.
- Run a credit report on yourself to see if there are any unknown credit inquiries or unauthorized accounts
- Reconcile your check and credit card statements in a timely fashion and challenge any purchases that you did not make
- Never give any important number out like from your drivers license, credit card, bank account, date of birth or social security number to anyone you don’t know over the telephone
- Shred your bank statements and any tax documents when you dispose of them
- Scrutinize your utility and subscription bills to make sure the charges are yours
- Memorize your passwords and personal identification (PIN) numbers. Keep your PIN numbers somewhere that only you know
- Don’t give out your PIN or write them on your credit cards or ATM cards
- Keep a list or photocopy all credit and identification cards you carry with you, including front and back, so that you can quickly call the issuers to inform them about missing or stolen cards
- Don’t give away too much personal information on your family web site. Full names, date of births, and address is too much information to post. By obtaining your “place-of-birth,” the identity thief can possibly get your duplicate birth certificate
If You Become a Victim
- Report the incident to the police immediately. If you know where your identification was stolen, that would be the correct police jurisdiction to report it to. Insist on being given a police report number a get a copy to encloses in correspondence with credit agencies
- Report all stolen cards to the issuers immediately and request that new card numbers. Always respond to written credit card receipt notifications received in the mail
- Notify your bank in the event that your checks are stolen and request that your account be closed
Credit Reporting Agencies:
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Phone |
Online |
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(888) 766-0008 |
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(888) EXPERIAN (397-3742) |
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(800) 680-7289 |
Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Clearinghouse
- Phone: (877) IDTHEFT (877-438-4338)
- Web: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
- FTC’s free identity theft guide “Take Charge,” www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Federal Agencies and Technology Industry
- For tips on online safety, visit www.onguardonline.gov
California Office of Privacy Protection
- Phone: (866) 785-9663
- Web: www.privacy.ca.gov
- Guide to California identity theft and privacy laws, www.privacy.ca.gov/laws.htm. See also the state’s official web site on legislative bills and statutes, www.leginfo.ca.gov.
Identity Theft Resource Center
- Phone: (858) 693-7935
- Web: www.idtheftcenter.org
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
- Phone: (619) 298-3396
- Web: www.privacyrights.org
- Test your identity theft risk factor, www.privacyrights.org/itrc-quiz1.htm
Compilation of Identity Theft Surveys
· Web: www.privacyrights.org/ar/idtheftsurveys.htm
Additional web sites:
- U.S. Dept. of Justice, identity theft info., www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
- FBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center. Report cases involving online fraud and phishing. www.ic3.gov
- Mari Frank’s Identity Theft Survival Kit. Phone: (800) 725-0807. Web: www.identitytheft.org
Thanks for great information. This information is very helpfull. Thank You