Douglas A. Turner, P.C.

IDENTITY THEFT — When a person assumes your identity and commits fraud in your name. The FBI describes it as the fastest growing white-collar, second only to domestic terrorism. A professional woman became the victim of IDENTITY THEFT. Her first indication came from her bank. Her accounts had been emptied. She then began receiving bills claiming she owed money for accounts opened in her name - rental car, cell phone, digital camera and computer. She isn’t liable because she had nothing to do with the crimes, but her credit was a mess. Each time she is contacted by a creditor, she feels victimized again.

We must be responsible for our actions with respect to credit and money. Most people are too trusting and blasé about record keeping. We are cavalier about credit cards and too busy to be vigilant about mail sent or received.

The average victim of IDENTITY THEFT spends almost $1200 to “fix” the problem, plus legal fees, if necessary, approximately 200 hours personal time over four years, and is victimized for almost $7000. The Fraud Division of the FTC confirms that 90% of victims have no personal contact with the thieves.

“Criminals Without Borders” operate in this country through gangs based around the world. They work primarily in restaurants as wait staff. In the time it takes to pick up your credit card for your meal tab and walk to the credit card machine, the thief has scanned your credit card into a hidden skimmer in the waistband of clothing. Within seconds, the data from the magneticstrip on your card is fed into a database somewhere in the world and accounts are immediately established with your data.

There are steps you can take now:

How to Prevent Becoming A Victim Of Identity Theft

• “Ego-Surf” - run a check on yourself to find out what someone else is finding out about YOU and who else may be using your social security number.
• Do not carry social security cards.
• Carry only one credit card and monitor it closely.
• Do not throw out receipts and canceled checks. SHRED them immediately. “Dumpster divers” may be at work in your neighborhood when your trash is sitting outside.
• Do not use debit cards as you will lose your money & have no recourse as you do with credit cards.
• Change social security numbers to passwords at banks and credit card companies.
• Put outgoing mail directly in a secure postal box rather than leaving it out.

How Will You Know If You Have Been A Victim

• If you are stopped for a traffic infraction and learn there are outstanding warrants in your name and you are arrested.
• If your mail does not arrive in a timely manner. How quickly would you know?
• If creditors call to say they have not received your payments.
• If your checks start bouncing because someone has “created” checks against your account and those have wiped out your balance.

What To Do If You Become A Victim Of Identity Theft

• Immediately file a police report. You may need it later for credibility.
• Notify creditors, banking institutions and the Social Security Fraud Division (1.800.269.0271).
• Notify credit bureaus and ask that a “Fraud Alert” be placed by your name, which will alert credit card companies to not authorize anything in your name.

Written by Sandi G. Izor, Confidential Investigations, 1.888.675.8901. Originally published in the Winter 2002 edition of Insights.