Title: If You Are Me, Then Who Am I?
1If You Are Me, Then Who Am I?
- Tips on Identity Theft Prevention
California Office of Privacy Protection
2What is identity theft?
- Identity theft is taking someones personal
information . - Credit card number
- Bank account number
- Drivers license number
- Social Security number
- Medical information
- Etc.
- Without permission
3What is identity theft?
3
- and using it for an unlawful purpose.
- Opening credit accounts
- Making charges on an existing account
- Getting medical care
- Providing identity on arrest
4How Often Does It Happen?
- 9.9 million in 2008 1 victim every 19 seconds
- Ages 18-24 most likely to be victims
Source Javelin Research Strategy, 2/09
5Consequences of ID Theft
- Clearing up identity theft is a pain.
- It can take 40 hours or more for an identity
theft victim to clear up his or her situation.
6Consequences of ID Theft
- Having your identity stolen can prevent you from
- Getting college loans, car loans, and credit
cards - Renting an apartment
- Getting a job
7DONT BE THE NEXT VICTIM!
- What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
86 Degrees of Identity Theft
- Sure, you trust your roommate or study group
classmate. - But what about their friends?
9Clean Your Room!
- Keep bills, bank statements, and ID cards out of
sight.
10Protect Your SSN The Key to ID Theft
- Dont carry your Social Security card or anything
with your Social Security number in your wallet
or bag.
11Review Your Bills Right Away
- Open your credit card bills and bank statements
when they arrive and read them carefully. - Report problems promptly.
12Stop Pre-Approved Credit Offers
- 49 of college students receive credit
applications daily or weekly. - Nearly 30 throw them out without shredding.
- ID thieves can use them in your name.
- STOP pre-approved credit offers!
- Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT or go to www.optoutprescreen.c
om
13Use a Cross-Cut Shredder
- Shred documents before discarding
- Bills with account numbers
- Bank statements
14- Organized criminal groups are after personal
information.
1515
16Malware
17Malware Can Steal Your ID
17
- Malware Trojan Horses, Key Loggers can steal
your information from your computer. - Key loggers capture everything you type.
- Trojan horse software has hidden scripts that
change, destroy or steal information.
18Beware of free software bearing gifts!
1981 of home computers lack basic security
protections.
19
20Protect Your Computer
- Use an Internet firewall.
- Keep your operating system browser up to date.
- Install anti-virus anti-
spyware software. - Keep it up to date.
21Dont Do Your Banking Where You Have Your Coffee
- Free wireless may not be secure.
- Avoid exposing personal information in public
hot spots.
22Beware of Phishing Emails
23Dont Get Hooked by a Phish
- Dont give out your personal information unless
you initiated the contact.
24Credit Reports
- Businesses report your payment history to credit
bureaus. - Equifax, Experian TransUnion
- Businesses check your credit report before
letting you - Get a credit card or a loan
- Buy insurance
- Rent an apartment
- Get a job
25Review Your Credit Reports
- Starting at age 18, order your reports at least
once a year. - One FREE credit report from EACH credit bureau
each year. - Call 1-877-322-8228 or go to www.annualcreditrepor
t.com.
26What to Look For
- ACCOUNTS Look for accounts you dont recognize.
- INQUIRIES Look for inquiries you didnt ask
for. - PERSONAL INFORMATION Look for addresses where
youve never lived, other names, other other
Social Security numbers.
27What if you think youre an ID theft victim?
- Contact the California Office of Privacy
Protection!
281-866-785-9663 www.privacy.ca.gov