Identity Theft

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Identity Theft

• When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name
• El Camino Community College
• Police Department
• Sgt. Kirk Johnston
• Josh Armstrong

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Identity Theft Defined

• When someone uses your name, social security
  number or other personal information to commit
  fraud or engage in other unlawful activities.

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Identity Theft

• During the course of a busy day, you may write a
  check, use a charge card, send out a payment in
  the mail, apply for credit, order merchandise via
  the phone or internet or a multitude of other
  things relating to items of identity. Chances are
  everything will go well, but there are those out
  there that will take advantage of the information
  you have supplied.

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Identity Theft

• During the past decade a new variety of crime
  has emerged, Identity Theft. Every time you use
  your various forms of identification you share
  your personal information with others. Some
  recipients of this information may take advantage
  of it and use it in ways you did not approve. An
  example would be to use your information to open
  a credit card account in your name without your
  knowledge.

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How ID Theft Occurs

• They steal wallets and purses containing your ID
  and credit bank cards.
• They steal your mail, including your bank credit
  card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new
  checks, and tax information.

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How ID Theft Occurs

• They complete a change of address form to
  divert your mail.
• They rummage through your trash, or the trash of
  business for personal data.
• They find personal information in your home.
• They use personal information that you share on
  the internet.

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How ID Theft Occurs

• They fraudulently obtain your credit report by
  posing as a landlord, employer or someone else
  who may have a legitimate need for the
  information
• They scam you, often through email, by posing as
  legitimate companies or government agencies.

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How ID Theft Occurs

• They get your information from the workplace in a
  practice known as business record theft by
  stealing files out offices where youre a
  customer, employee, patient or student by
  bribing an employee who has access to your files
  or hacking into electronic files.

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How Id Thieves Use Your Personal Information

• They call your credit card issuer and, pretending
  to be you, ask to change the mailing address on
  your credit card account.
• They open a new credit card account, using your
  name, date of birth and SSN. When the bill are
  not paid the delinquent account is reported on
  your credit report.

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How Id Thieves Use Your Personal Information

• They establish phone or wireless service in your
  name
• The open a bank account in your name and write
  bad checks on that account.
• The counterfeit checks or debit card, and drain
  your bank account.
• They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your
  name.

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How To Minimize Your Risk

• Order a copy of your credit report from each of
  the three major credit bureaus.
• Place passwords on your credit card, bank and
  phone accounts.
• Secure personal information in your home.
• Ask about information security procedures in your
  workplace.

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How To Minimize Your RiskComputers

• Update your virus protection software regularly.
• Do not download files sent to you by strangers
• Use a firewall
• Use a secure internet browser
• Try not to store financial information on your
  laptop
• Before you dispose of your computer Wipe the
  drives
• Look for website privacy policies before
  providing personal information

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Victim? What To Do

• Contact the fraud department of each of the three
  credit bureaus.
• Contact the creditors of any account(s) that have
  been opened or tampered with.
• File a report with the local police department or
  the police department where the theft took place.
  Always insist on a written police report and
  obtain a copy as soon as you can.

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Tips on Filing a Police Report

• Provide Documentation As much as you can
• Be persistent
• Be a motivating force

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Tips on Organizing Your Case

• Follow up in writing with all contacts youve
  made on the phone or in person.
• Keep copies of all correspondence
• Write Down the name of anyone you talk to, what
  they said and the date.
• Keep the original of supporting documentation
• Setup a filing system for easy access to your
  paperwork
• Keep old files even if the case has been Closed

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What Next?

• Stolen mail? U.S. Postal Inspector
  http//www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
• Credit Card accounts contact and verify that no
  unauthorized activity has occurred. Advise them
  to be on the lookout for new account requests.
• Bank accounts close the account(s) immediately
  if they have been tampered with. Open new
  accounts with new PINs. This includes savings,
  checking and ATM cards, IRAs, etc.

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Identity Theft

• You cant completely prevent ID theft from
  occurring.
• You can reduce the chances of it happening to you
  by taking some precautionary steps.
• Should you find that you have had your identity
  stolen,you can call the Federal Trade
  Commissions (FTC) Identity Hotline at
  1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) for assistance.

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For Additional Information

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission at
• 1-877-IDTHEFT
• www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• The most recent edition of the ID Theft book is
  on-line.
• Your local police department where you live
  (permanent address)
• El Camino Police Department 310-660-3100www.elcam
  ino.edu\police

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Annual Credit Report

• Once a year you may obtain a free copy of your
  credit report so that you may inspect for
  accuracy or fraudulent activityCan be in writing
  or via the internetAll three major credit
  reporting agenciesEquifaxExperianTrans Union

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Credit Bureaus

• EQUIFAX http//www.equifax.com/,
• 1-800-685-1111
• P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
• EXPERIAN http//www.experian.com/,
• 1-888-397-3742
• P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013
• TRANSUNION http//www.transunion.com/
• 1-800-916-8800
• P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

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ID Theft
Remember, ID Theft prevention begins with
you. Dont give out your information freely. Keep
a close eye on your credit card bills. Dont
leave your wallet / purse unattended, even in
your own room or office. Put it away out of
sight. If you find that your identity has been
used, report it to the local police, credit
bureaus, and the creditor involved as soon as
possible, and keep good records.
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Shredder Giveaway

• We would like to thank Ms. Lynnda Nelson and the
  bookstore staff for donating two high quality
  shredder units to be raffled off