ScamSafe

Consumer Fraud: ATM and Credit Card Fraud

ATM and credit card fraud involves the unlawful use of ATM and credit card numbers by an unauthorized person. The thief may access your card information by:

+ Finding carbon copies of receipts (or clerks keeping the carbon copy)
+ Store or restaurant clerks may record your credit card info by using a special swiping device (this is called "skimming")
+ Going through trash and finding discarded receipts (also called "dumpster diving")
+ Stealing your PIN as you type it in at an ATM (sometimes called "shoulder surfing")

If you lose your ATM or credit card, call the bank that issued it immediately. You have no further responsibility by law once you’ve reported it lost or stolen. Under federal law, you are only obligated to pay a maximum of $50 if you have reported it lost or stolen. Make sure you follow up with a letter sent certified mail and save the receipt. Keep copies of all correspondence.

How can you protect yourself?

1. Push up close to the ATM to block the keypad.
2. Never tell anyone your PIN number
3. Never write your PIN on your card or leave the PIN in your wallet.
4. Don’t put your PIN number in until it says to.
5. Make sure you receive your card back when finished with transaction.
6. Never let anyone else use your cards.
7. Keep any carbon copies the clerk creates, or tear them up before they are thrown away.
8. Check your monthly statements--look for transactions you didn't make.
9. Write “please see ID” along with your signature on the back of your card.

Banks combat identity theft

MORE HELP is on the way for victims of identity theft, one of the nation's fastest growing crimes.

Two big banks -- Citigroup and Washington Mutual -- have started free programs to assist customers whose names or accounts are compromised by thieves. And in June, a national organization representing some of the largest banks, brokerages and finance companies will launch an Identity Theft Assistance Center to help victims clear their names.

"ID theft has reached epidemic levels in the United States, and our customers are having real problems," said Steve Bartlett, president and chief executive of the Financial Services Roundtable, the Washington, D.C., organization behind the center. "We're going to try to help them."

FULL STORY from San Mateo County Times [pop up]

Federal Identity Theft Law

Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 (Title 18 United States Code - Section 1028)

The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 became effective October 30, 1998. It makes identity theft a Federal crime with penalties up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. It establishes that the person whose identity was stolen is a true victim. This legislation enables the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies to combat this crime. It allows for the identity theft victim to seek restitution if there is a conviction. It also establishes the Federal Trade Commission as a central agency to act as a clearinghouse for complaints, (against credit reporting agencies and credit grantors) referrals, and resources for assistance for victims of identity theft. This statute may serve as a model for your state to enact similar legislation. It should also provide you leverage to influence law enforcement to investigate your case.

See a copy of the law on the FTC web site

How do I report stolen or lost checks?

When a consumer has lost or stolen checks, check services companies can help. They help you to protect your good name while also protecting those checks from being used at thousands of financial institutions and businesses.

Here's how it works. When a consumer has lost or stolen checks, you may report this information to a check service such as TeleCheck. TeleCheck enters this information into the company's extensive database. This helps prevent the checks from being used at any TeleCheck financial institution or business which protects the consumer and local businesses. This results in financial institutions not having to process, return or handle large numbers of forgery affidavits. Consumers who call TeleCheck directly are reminded to immediately report the lost or stolen checks to their financial institution and to their local police department.

The TeleCheck toll-free hotline for reporting lost and stolen checks is 1-800-366-2425.

Businesses can contact the National Check Fraud Hotline at (843) 571-2143.

Other check services companies include:

CheckRite (800) 766-2748
ChexSystems (800) 428-9623
CrossCheck (800) 552-1900
SCAN (800) 262-7771
Equifax Check Systems (800) 437-5120
International Check Services (800) 526-5380

California's Identity Theft Laws

It is a felony in California to use the personal identifying information of another person without the authorization of that person for any unlawful purpose including to obtain credit, goods, services, or medical information [Penal Code section 530.5 et. seq.].

California operates five regional Hi-Tech Crimes Task Forces to investigate and prosecute identity theft.

The Attorney General's Office maintains an Identity Theft Registry to assist victims who are wrongfully identified as criminals. Through the ID Theft data base, law enforcement and anyone else designated by the victim to have access would be notified that the criminal history is not his or hers. To learn more, visit the ID Theft Registry web page here, or call toll-free: (888) 880-0240.

To help protect against identity theft, California enacted a new law requiring businesses and government agencies beginning July 1, 2003, to notify consumers if hackers gain entry to computers that contain unencrypted personal information such as credit card numbers, pass codes needed for use of personal accounts, Social Security numbers or driver's license numbers.

Under the state law (AB 1386-Peace/CHAPTER 915, Stats of 2002), notices must be given immediately following discovery of the privacy breach unless a law enforcement agency determines the notice would impede a criminal investigation. The notice can be by letter or e-mail. If more than 500,000 individuals are involved or the cost of giving notice would exceed $250,000, an alternate notice may be used. The alternate notice must be by e-mail when available, conspicuous posting on the company or agency web page and notification to major statewide media. Any customer injured by a violation of the law may file civil suit to recover damages.

This information is from the web site of the Attorney General of California.

US Dept. of Justice releases Special Report on 'Phishing'

The Department of Justice , Criminal Division, Fraud Section has released a Special Report on 'Phishing' email scams. It can be found here [pop up]

Technology and carelessness factors in rise of identity theft

FULL STORY from Mlive.com [pop up]

Qwest Helps Protect Customers From Telephone and Internet Fraud [DENVER,CO]

Customer Protection Information Web Site Available at www.qwest.com

DENVER, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q - News) is launching an initiative to help customers identify possible telephone and Internet theft and fraud with the introduction of its "Customer Protection Information" Web site. Consumers lose billions of dollars each year due to telephone and Internet fraud, according to industry experts -- and that number is continuing to grow. The Qwest Web site is the first initiative in an ongoing customer education program aimed at providing customers with protective tools against fraud.
"Phone scams and Internet fraud are on the rise," said Ken Lane, spokesman for Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar. "It is significant that major companies are dedicating time and resources to ensure that their customers don't become victims of a scam."

Available on www.qwest.com, the new site provides customers with helpful and easy-to-understand information and preventive tips. The site identifies and clarifies a variety of scams and fraudulent practices targeted at both residential and small-business customers. For example, this site offers customers helpful hints to protect their telephone bills from unauthorized charges and/or services, computers from harmful viruses, and personal information from theft on the Internet.

Qwest receives thousands of fraud-related inquiries from customers each year and has found that customers need to be especially watchful of the following 10 fraudulent schemes:

- Voice Mail Scam
- Slamming and Cramming
- Caribbean Dialing Scam
- Identity Theft
- Wireless Cloning
- Internet Modem Scam
- 9,0,#
- Call Forwarding Scam
- Collect Calls From Mexico Scam
- Calling Card Scam

FULL STORY from Yahoo! [pop up]

Software Targets Identity Theft

Phishers Under Fire

ATLANTA -- EarthLink has developed a program to fight phishers -- phony Web sites designed to deceive e-mail users into providing personal information such as passwords and credit card or Social Security numbers.

Phisher sites are called that because they "fish" for personal information that can be used in identify theft. They work by telling an Internet user via e-mail that there is a problem with the service-provider account and providing directions to a Web site for clarification.

The link takes the user to a hoax Web site that may be a perfect copy of a real page used by Earthlink, eBay or another legitimate business. That is where the user is deceived into providing personal information.

EarthLink receives about 40,000 telephone calls or e-mails each month from subscribers who have received one of the fraudulent e-mails, said Scott Mecredy, the project manager for the free anti-phisher toolbar the Atlanta-based company plans to introduce.

"They're either reporting that they've been taken or concerned that the e-mail is a fraud," Mecredy said.

EarthLink's anti-phisher program will rely on a list of known fraudulent sites. When a subscriber responds to the e-mail message, he will be linked instead to a special Web page that warns the e-mail is a fraud. The site also will provide a chance to report the hoax attempt.

EarthLink and eBay are sharing internal lists of fraudulent Web sites to make their anti-phisher toolbars more effective. The companies acknowledge that the service is not perfect because it relies on lists of known sites, and those not on the list will not be detected.

FULL STORY from WSBTV [pop up]

Initiative foes warn of identity theft by signature crews [Portland,OR]

Tax rebel Tim Eyman on Monday complained to government watchdogs that foes of his tax-cut initiative are "parasites" who skirted disclosure laws in a telephone campaign to discourage voters from signing petitions.

An official-sounding phone message left in some Pierce County homes last week warned that paid signature gatherers for initiatives could be identity thieves.

Officials with two organizations — the Washington State Council of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, and the Washington State Council of County and City Employees — say the messages weren't meant to deceive people or deter them from signing initiatives.

The News Tribune reported Sunday that the two groups also admitted the two-day campaign partially targeted Eyman, who's pushing two property-tax-cutting initiatives for the November ballot.

"We are going to lose officers and deputies because of this," said Bill Hanson, executive director of the police and sheriffs council, a group that lobbies for rank-and-file cops.

FULL STORY from kgw.com [pop up]

Navy Takes Another Measure to Prevent Identity Theft [NAPLES, Italy]

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Navy officials have taken another step to prevent Sailors from becoming victims of identity theft, by omitting certain information from fitness reports and evaluations.

A recent Navy Administrative Message (NAVADMIN 071/04), released by Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. G.L. Hoewing, outlines the change. It states that in order to minimize the potential for identity theft, reporting seniors may now prepare the member’s copy of a fitness report or evaluation with “000-00-0000” in block 27. Prior to this, block 27 contained the reporting senior’s social security number.

FULL STORY from US Navy Newsstand [pop up]

Colleges' use of Social Security numbers may invite identity theft [Fla.]

To identity thieves, a Social Security number can be as good as a front-door key.

Police, prosecutors, privacy advocates and consumer groups warn against carrying the number around, using it as a computer password or letting it be used for record-keeping convenience.

But many college students have had to do some or all of the above. Colleges historically have used the numbers as handy identifiers for student ID cards, class registrations online and on paper, class rosters and grade postings, among other purposes.

FULL STORY from Knight Ridder Tribune News Service [pop up]

Analyst Identifies New Ways to Reduce Risk of ID Theft

Businesses and consumers can help protect themselves from identity theft by moving bills, statements and payments online, says James Van Dyke, Founder and Principal Analyst, Javelin Strategy & Research.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Billions of dollars -- that's what identity theft costs U.S. businesses and consumers each year. New research clearly demonstrates that online banking, bill payment and statement viewing is one of the best ways businesses and their customers can protect themselves against identity theft. Yet, consumers still believe incorrectly that online financial transactions increase their risk of fraud. This notion is incorrect.
Based on findings from Federal Trade Commission and United States Postal Service reports, Javelin Strategy & Research found that two popular kinds of identity theft, fraudulent opening of new accounts and unauthorized use of existing accounts, are frequently traced to theft of paper documents in residential mailboxes and other locations, including incoming statements, new account solicitations and outgoing checks. But by changing bill presentment policies by offering electronic bills and the ability to suppress paper, banks and billers can significantly reduce fraud due to ID theft.

Research analysis by James Van Dyke, founder and principal analyst of Javelin Strategy & Research, and author of the new report, discovered that businesses can quickly implement the following four steps to help reduce fraud and break down consumer misperceptions:

-- Educate customers - Customers who view their statements online are
more likely to quickly identify potentially fraudulent activities on
an existing account and alert businesses to it, allowing restoration
and resolution to begin. Consumer education on the benefits of viewing
statements and paying bills online can result in savings both from
paper suppression and early fraud detection, plus promote stronger
customer adoption and retention.
-- Listen to customers' needs and act - The new Javelin data suggests
that financial institutions and billers should enable online
statements at a customer's request and offer the option to turn off
traditional paper mail for sensitive documents.
-- Online consumers are the best detection of online identity theft - The
Federal Trade Commission's October 2003 Identity Theft Survey Report
found that 52% of all identity fraud was first discovered by the
victim, often by reviewing traditional paper statements. However, by
the time paper statements arrive to reveal a fraud incident, more time
is likely to have passed, which in turn increases the value of
potential fraud and makes prosecution more difficult for the financial
institution or biller. Online consumers check accounts nearly four
times per month, as compared to one time much later in the month for
those who rely on paper statements.
-- Proactive account alerts and activity summaries - Use of active e-mail
alerts, consolidated summaries of balances and transactional activity
can significantly reduce fraud.

FULL STORY from PRNewswire [pop up]

BUY A SHREDDER!

Take our word for it. A shredder is now an essential tool to have at home and at work. They're inexpensive and available at every office supply store and online. Stop making excuses, buy one, and use it regularly. Shred anything that has your name, address, phone number, SSN or an account number of any kind. --ScamSafe Ed.

New Office Depot Survey Finds Only Half of American Adults Own a Document Shredder at Home

Yet 80% of American Adults Are Concerned About Identity Theft

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2004--Office Depot, (NYSE:ODP - News), one of the world's largest resellers of office products, today revealed results from its new Workplace Trends Survey conducted by Harris Interactive®. According to the survey, 80% of American adults are concerned about identity theft, while only 52% own a document shredder for use in the home.
With the tax deadline looming, Americans are faced with more piles of paperwork to organize and review than usual. According to the Office Depot survey, about half (47%) of American adults do their own taxes and almost a third (32%) of American adults, that are online, use tax software.

FULL STORY from BUSINESS WIRE, Yahoo! [pop up]

Solicitations prompt fear of ID theft [Manoa, HI]

Despite a no-soliciting policy at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, several credit card solicitors were on campus last month, and UH officials say they have no way of verifying if they are legitimate.

With an increasing trend of ID theft, as well as credit card debt, students need to be careful of the choices they make.

According to Kalvin Kashimoto, Director of UHM's Facilities Plan and Management Office, no credit card soliciting is allowed, except for those approved for the Stan Sheriff Center. His office approves events for the Manoa campus, while the Campus Center and athletic department have their own policies.

FULL STORY from Kaleo.org [pop up]

More on the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act

Identity theft is no small matter and continues to be the fastest growing crime in America. A recent survey revealed that 9.9 million people were victims in a single year, at a cost to businesses and financial institutions of $48 billion, plus $5 million in out-of-pocket expenses for the victims.

A new federal law nicknamed "FACT" (the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) signed last December gives consumers greater protection by addressing the problems of identity theft, privacy and the inaccuracies of the consumer credit reporting system. Here's the least you need to know about this important new law.

Not yet effective: While the law was signed Dec. 4, 2003, most of its provisions are not effective until Dec. 1, 2004.

Free credit report: Every American will be entitled to one free credit report per year from the big three credit bureaus: Experian, EquiFax and Trans Union.

One call does it all: Whether your credit or debit card is lost or stolen, one call to a consumer reporting agency will notify all agencies and credit card companies.

Padlock your file: You will have the option to place a lock on your credit file. Before any credit is granted in your name, the bureau must verify through a phone call that it's you (and not an imposter) applying for credit.

Report the incident: If anyone other than you attempts to get credit in your name, the bank or institution will be required to provide you with copies of the evidence within 30 days of the event.

Truncate credit numbers: While many merchants and bankers already print only the last five digits of your account on electronic receipts, now it's the law. However, merchants have until Dec. 4, 2006, to phase out electronic equipment that does not comply.

Disclose the bad news: Thanks to this new law, a creditor will have to tell you if it reports any negative information about you to the credit bureaus. You will be able to dispute negative information directly to your creditors rather than going through the credit bureau.

Fair treatment: A bank will have to tell you if it grants you credit at less favorable terms than those received by most other consumers and why.

Run up the red flags: Regulators will be required to devise a list of "red flag" indicators to identify patterns, practices and specific forms of activity that indicate the possible existence of identity theft that could be threatening a consumer's credit file.

It's too soon to assess whether FACT has enough muscle to bring down identity theft. While I'm hopeful it will help, don't assume anything. Our best protection against identity theft continues to be our willingness to remain completely aware and reasonably suspicious

FULL STORY from Twin Cities [pop up]

POSTING grades raises fear of identity theft [Nashville,TN]

It's a familiar image: The moment a college professor releases students' grades on his final exam, students crowd around the piece of paper tacked to the bulletin board or office door, finding their scores lined up with their Social Security numbers.

While most people don't know who 123-45-6789 with the A-plus is, someone could find out if that person celebrates too noisily. And it could be just a matter of time before another identity theft is under way.

FULL STORY from The Tennessean [pop up]

Summary of The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003

Consumers Have New Protection Against Identity Theft

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 is expected to give some added protection against identity theft and ensure that all citizens are treated fairly when they apply for a mortgage or other form of credit.

The law provides consumers, companies, regulators and credit reporting agencies with new tools that expand access to credit and other financial services, enhance the accuracy of consumers’ financial information, and are expected to help fight identity theft.

This new law is designed to:

• Give consumers the right to obtain their credit report free of charge every year. Consumers will be able to review a free report every year for unauthorized activity, including activity that might be the result of identity theft.
  
• Guarantee access to the credit score used to evaluate and price loans and mortgage applications.
  
• Require merchants to leave all but the last five digits of a credit card number off store receipts, to help prevent identity theft. This law will make sure that slips of paper that most people trash does not contain their credit card number, a key to their financial identities.
  
• Create a national system of fraud detection to make identity thieves more likely to be caught. Previously, victims would have to make phone calls to all of their credit card companies and three major credit-reporting agencies (Equixfax, Experian and Trans Union) to alert them to the crime. Now consumers will have the power to place fraud alerts on their credit files if they suspect that fraud has occurred. Those alerts, in turn, will instruct banks and other creditors not to open new accounts or extend additional credit to anyone without contacting the consumer first.
  
• Require lenders and credit agencies to take action before a victim even knows a crime has occurred. With oversight by bank regulators, the credit agencies will draw up a set of guidelines to identify patterns common to identity theft, and develop methods to stop identity theft before it can cause major damage.
  
• Give consumers the option, with some exceptions, to opt out of receiving marketing calls or mail from companies they do business with.

  For more information on the Fair and Accurate Transaction Act of 2003, see the offical document (H.R. 2622) [PDF]

  
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit), News (General)
  Posted on March 28, 2004 at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Guard your Social Security number

  Be careful about giving out your SSN--it's key to stealing your identity

  Schools, phone companies, utilities, health clubs, insurance companies, video stores -- just about everybody wants your SSN. Some of the more prevalent uses are to get your credit rating and determine whether you pay your bills, and to keep track of you through name and address changes.

  But companies also use your number to develop marketing lists, which they can sell to other companies. A list with the numbers is more valuable than one without.

  Why should you care who sees your Social Security number? The more people who see it, the more susceptible you are to identity theft, where you are victimized by someone fraudulently using your name and credit report to steal money.

  "I've seen accounts opened with wrong names and different addresses. As long as there's an SSN, that's all some of them care about," says Linda Foley of the San Diego-based Identity Theft Research Center.

  Who has the right to ask for your digits?

  While any business or agency can ask for your number, few can actually demand it -- motor vehicle departments, tax departments and welfare departments, for example. Also, SSNs are required for transactions involving taxes, so that means banks, brokerages, employers, and the like also have a legitimate need for your SSN.

  Most other businesses have no legal right to demand your number.

  "There is no law prohibiting a business from asking for your Social Security number, but people don't know they can say no," says Carolyn Cheezum of the Social Security Administration.

  "We recommend that you ask if they'll accept an alternative piece of identification. If they don't, flat-out refuse to do business with them. Bear in mind that there's a possibility they'll refuse to provide whatever product or service you're seeking."

  For example, you don’t need to give your SSN to your doctor.

  In fact, chances are good that many companies that routinely ask for SSNs will do business with you even if they can't have your number.

  SSNs and identity theft

  Social Security numbers exist for the purpose of tracking earnings and paying benefits, according to Cheezum. Although President Franklin Roosevelt signed an order requiring federal agencies to use SSNs for record-keeping systems, they were never meant to be used by businesses as an identifier, but have taken on that role because everyone has one.

  But the snowballing problem of identity theft is spurring some governments to limit the use of SSNs. California is leading the way with its recently enacted law barring businesses, health care providers and schools from:

  • Publicly posting SSNs or requiring them for access to products or services
  • Printing of SSNs on cards required for accessing products or services
  • Requiring an individual to use his or her SSN to access a Web site unless a password is also required to access the site.
  • Printing an individual's SSN on any materials that are mailed to the individual.
  • The state of New York limits the use of SSNs in schools and colleges. New York public and private schools cannot publicly display SSNs. Many are opting to assign students identification numbers. Arizona has passed similar legislation.

  Foley says she hopes other states will follow suit and be even more restrictive so that SSNs will eventually be used only for a few selective purposes.

  But, Foley says, until that happens, the first defense against the fraudulent use of SSNs are the companies that issue credit.

  If you suspect someone is fraudulently using your Social Security number, contact the Social Security Administration's fraud hotline at (800) 269-0271 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, or e-mail: OIG.hotline@SSA.gov.

  From Bankrate.com
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 28, 2004 at 07:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  FTC sets out timetable for handing out free credit reports

  President Bush, in December 2003, signed into law the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. This gives all U.S. consumers a new federal right to obtain one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus.

  An article in sfgate.com has this to say about the timetable:

  When does this start? Unfortunately, not as soon as most consumers would like. Congress gave the FTC the authority to create a phased-in availability schedule to prevent the bureaus from being overwhelmed with requests.

  The FTC proposes a west to east rollout beginning Dec. 1. Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington residents will get first crack at free reports on that date.

  Next will come Midwestern residents (including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Nebraska, among others) on March 1. Southern states (including Florida, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee) will become eligible June 1, 2005.

  Eastern states from North Carolina through Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and all of New England will phase in on Sept. 1, 2005.

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 28, 2004 at 09:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Who's stealing you? [Twin Falls, Idaho]

  Identity theft can happen to anyone, say victims, experts

  TWIN FALLS -- With an armful of new school clothes for her son, Laura Miller approached the register at Old Navy last August.

  Realizing she could get a discount on the purchase if she applied for a store credit card, Miller filled out the application and waited for approval.

  "They said, 'You've been declined because your Social Security number doesn't match with your name,'" she recalled. "I said, 'That's impossible.'"

  FULL STORY from The Times-News [pop up]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit), News (General)
  Posted on March 27, 2004 at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Debit card issuers on defensive [New Bedford, MA]

  Going out shopping? If you plan to use your debit or credit card to pay for your purchases, it might be a good idea to have a backup plan even if your credit is good and your bank account has money in it.

  Banks in Massachusetts and up and down the East Coast are reissuing thousands of credit and debit cards in the wake of the apparent theft of credit card numbers from the computers at some BJ's Wholesale Club stores earlier this month.

  FULL STORY from Southcoasttoday.com [pop up]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit), News (General)
  Posted on March 27, 2004 at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  A techie uncovers the details beneath a phishing scam

  A brilliant computer scientist named Rafael "Raf" Mendez has done a remarkable bit of technical detective work on an Ebay phishing scam. Go to his "blog" web site called Dead Man Coding for an interesting, but technical, journey into the inner workings of an phishing scam. Note that Raf uses the term "spoofing" (which is technically accurate) to describe what we here call phishing. Raf, thanks for pointing this out to us at ScamSafe.
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit), Opinion
  Posted on March 25, 2004 at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Establishing Good Credit Important for Young Adults

  New Consumer Credit Resource Center Provides Tips to College Students: How to Establish Wise Credit Habits and Guard Against Fraud & Identity Theft

  WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Establishing a good credit record while in college can provide many future benefits for young adults.

  For example, a credit record can impact a graduate's ability to rent an apartment, get telephone service or other utilities connected or qualify for loans for graduate school. A number of employers also look at credit histories when making hiring decisions.

  FULL STORY from Yahoo!/PRNewswire [pop up]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 25, 2004 at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Phishing for Identity Information

  Phishing -- a relatively new obsession among Internet scammers -- employs e-mail lures to "fish" for identity information, such as passwords and financial data. It has become more prevalent, and more dangerous, since EarthLink first warned Web users about theft e-mail scams in July, 2003.

  Armed with their "phished" information, scammers commit identity theft and fraud, explains Dan Meyer, director of communications for the Anti-Phishing Working Group and director of product marketing at Tumbleweed, a corporate anti-spam vendor.

  FULL STORY from Yahoo!/www.enterprise-security-today.com [pop up]

  Category: Business Info, Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 25, 2004 at 05:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Washington Mutual Launches Products to Respond to Identity Theft [USA]

  Research Indicates That a Majority of Consumers Are 'Extremely Concerned' about Identity Theft

  SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2004--Washington Mutual, Inc. (NYSE:WM), one of the nation's leading retailers of financial services, today announced that its banking subsidiaries have launched two new products, Free ID Theft Services and ID Theft Inspect(TM), to respond to customer concerns about the possible impact of identity theft.

  "Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, with the Federal Trade Commission estimating that nearly 10 million Americans became victims of identity theft last year, a 41 percent increase over the previous year," said Doug Marshall, senior vice president of product development and deposit strategy at Washington Mutual.

  FULL STORY from Business Wire [pop up]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 24, 2004 at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  New age criminals devise sophisticated new ways to steal your money [Port Townsend,WA]

  The Halloween thieves bashed in the back door of the mortgage brokers. They weren't interested in candy, cash or computers. They immediately scooped up a dozen applications that contained a gold mine of information - Xerox copies of credit cards, social security numbers and bank checks - that could yield nuggets for months.

  "Think about it - those applications had everything they needed to loot our bank accounts and charge all kinds of things on our credit cards," said Jim Marshall, a Port Townsend businessman and identity theft victim.

  FULL STORY from Jefferson County Leader [pop up]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 24, 2004 at 06:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Internet users hooked by identity-theft schemes [Paris,France]

  Last year, EarthLink, the big U.S. Internet access provider, went hunting for phishers.
  .
  It started a campaign to track down people who were sending e-mail messages that purported to be from EarthLink but were actually attempts to steal customers' passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information. What EarthLink found was that of the dozen or so people it could clearly identify as engaged in the practice known as phishing, more than half were under 18.

  FULL STORY from International Herald Tribune [pop up]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit), News (General)
  Posted on March 24, 2004 at 06:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  FRAUD ALERT: Beware of Ponzi Schemes and Affinity Fraud

  Department of Corporations Warns Californians to Beware of Ponzi Schemes and Affinity Fraud

  Sacramento, January 27, 2004 - - The Department of Corporations today warned California investors to be on the lookout for Ponzi schemes being promoted with investment sales tactics known as "affinity fraud." The Department has noticed a recent increase in the number of Ponzi schemes defrauding California investors, a significant percent of which are being perpetuated by people who approach their fellow church or other religious congregation members.

  Corporations' Commissioner William P. Wood reiterated that while it's human nature for people to trust others who have traits in common with them, con artists know this, too, and use their victim's religious or ethnic identity to gain trust. The Department of Corporations warns investors about an increase in this type of sales tactic, referred to as 'affinity fraud,' to promote Ponzi schemes in California and encourages investors who suspect they may have invested in a Ponzi scheme to contact the Department immediately.

  The Department of Corporations wants Californians to know that it's more important than ever to inform themselves about investing. The current discussion about changes to the Social Security program to encourage Americans to invest in their own private retirement accounts means that as investors they need to become better educated to protect themselves to avoid becoming victims of fraud. People who currently have no investments and no plans to invest their money would automatically become potential investors if this plan were put into place.

  Ponzi schemes get their name from Charles Ponzi, who in the early 1900s took investors for $10 million by promising a 40 percent return on their money. Operators of this variety of investment fraud use funds from previous investors to pay new investors. When the operator inevitably runs out of new people to buy into the scheme, the scam collapses and its investors lose their money.

  Last month the Department of Corporations ordered Financial Advisory Consultants (FAC) and James P. Lewis, its president and funds manager, to stop selling unqualified, nonexempt securities to Californians. As the promoter of the apparent long running, multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme, Lewis recruited investors from all over the country, many of whom heard of FAC from fellow members of their churches.

  Californians should look for specific warning signs of a Ponzi scheme when presented with an investment opportunity. Red flags include: 1) "Guaranteed" double-digit returns, 2) Promises of high yields consistent over a long term, 3) "Risk-free" investments and 4) Salespeople emphasizing the exclusivity of an investment opportunity and the importance of keeping the investment a secret from your friends and family.

  The Department of Corporations is California's Investment and Financing Authority, reporting to the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and the Governor. The Department is responsible for the regulation, enforcement and licensing of securities, franchises, off-exchange commodities, investment and financial services, independent escrows, consumer and commercial finance lending and residential mortgage lending. For further information or to obtain a complaint form, see the Department's Web site at www.corp.ca.gov or call 1-866-ASK-CORP (1-866-275-2677).

  
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit), FRAUD ALERTS
  Posted on March 24, 2004 at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  FTC Details Efforts to Halt Internet Scams

  The Federal Trade Commission today told a Senate committee that efforts to combat fraud and deception on the Internet are critical for all consumers, including seniors, because, “Internet fraud causes significant injury to consumers and harms public confidence in the Internet as an emerging market.” Howard Beales, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection told the Senate Special Committee on Aging that the Commission has brought 319 law enforcement cases involving Internet scams, including cases involving identity theft, auction fraud, investment fraud and “Nigerian scams,” and cross-border Internet fraud.

  See also:
  Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Efforts to Fight Fraud on the Internet, Presented by J. Howard Beales, III, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Before the Special Committee On Aging, United States Senate (March 23, 2004)

  Text of the Commission Testmony [PDF 39KB]
  Appendix A [PDF 45KB]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit), Research
  Posted on March 23, 2004 at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Auction Identity Theft [Lexington,KY]

  Con artists who wish to use online auction houses (usually targeting eBay because it is the largest) to bilk unsuspecting users for thousands of dollars usually follow a fairly straight-forward scheme. It generally preys on the unsuspecting or less savvy, aiming at their ignorance of technology and security to steal their money.

  The best defense against these crooks is to not be ignorant. Two simple rules will protect you from most of their schemes without fail:

  1) Never give out your account information (be it PayPal, eBay, Yahoo!, or any other) over the phone or through a link in an email. ALWAYS log into the site directly (e.g. Type "www.ebay.com" into your browser) rather than through a link in an email or from another website.

  2) Never give out your credit card number to anyone who is not trustworthy: be they a business, a person, a website, or whatever. Make sure that websites you deal with when giving out personal information are using security certificates (the little lock appears on your browser to show that you are "locked" into a secure site) and that you know who they are and why they need your information.

  Both of those rules translate to "ALWAYS BE SKEPTICAL."

  FULL STORY from WebProNews

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 17, 2004 at 08:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  How to prevent bank account fraud

  Guidelines for protecting for checking, savings and other bank accounts

  By Tom, ScamSafe Editor-in-Chief

  1. Protect your checking and other account numbers. Never give them to a someone you don't know.
     
  2. Beware of phone calls from someone claiming to call from your bank. There are scams where someone poses as your bank and says they need to verify your account information. I once got a voice mail (it was left in broken English and riddled with static) which claimed the call was from Bank of America and they needed my account information because of a fraud warning. Except I don't have any accounts at BofA.
     
  3. Have your new checks mailed to your local branch, not to your home.
     
  4. Store your checks (new or cancelled) in a secure place. Use tamper proof checks.
     
  5. Guard your ATM information. Don't use obvious PINs, don't write the PIN on the card or leave the PIN on paper in your wallet or purse.
     
  6. Try swiching to electronic billing and statements.
     

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 17, 2004 at 02:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  America Online Introduces Identity Theft Alerts

  This sounds like a great service. Long overdue and a nice differentiator for AOL. If this works as advertised, we recommend checking it out if you're an AOL member. Look for this eventually at Yahoo! and other places. --ScamSafe Ed.

  America Online Introduces Identity Theft Alerts as Part of AOL Bill Pay

  DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2004--. Members Can Choose to Receive AOL Alerts of Suspicious Activity or Large Transactions On Their Bank Accounts or Credit Cards -- Via E-Mail or Wireless Device.

  America Online, the word's leading interactive services company, today announced a new initiative to help protect members against the growing problem of identity theft and fraud. As part of the new AOL Bill Pay service, members can set up AOL(R) Alerts & Reminders to keep track of activity on registered credit cards and bank accounts and alert them to large transactions or unauthorized activity on those accounts. AOL Bill Pay is a new service that helps AOL members save time and money with a streamlined way to pay bills online as well as manage their personal finances.

  FULL STORY from Business Wire
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 16, 2004 at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Identity theft occurs weekly [Norman,OK]

  OUDPS has a Web site with information about theft prevention.

  Nicholas Sakelaris - Daily Staff Writer

  When Jennifer Davis, special education senior, had her wallet stolen two years ago she became a victim of one of the fastest-growing crimes in America.

  “By the time I made it back to the dorm to cancel the credit cards, they’d already made charges,” Davis said.

  [FULL STORY] Oklahoma Daily

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 12, 2004 at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Efforts to guard against identity theft take wing [Salem,OR]

  A local agency makes a personal cause a public crusade to help residents fight the crime.

  JODY LAWRENCE-TURNER

  Jim Keener, director of Oregon Justice Project, started conducting identity-theft seminars this year after a fellow tenant at the Valley Law Center was hit hard by a trusted employee.

  “She sat in the office next to mine — it’s personal now,” he said.

  The woman, posing as an accountant, allegedly stole more than $200,000 from Keener’s building mate. S & S Environmental, for whom she worked, went out of business as a result of the alleged identity theft.

  [FULL STORY] Salem Statesman Journal
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 11, 2004 at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Help prevent identity theft [Yass,New South Wales,Australia]

  Australians would be better equipped to stop identity theft after the launch of a new Government information kit, Member for Hume Alby Schultz said.

  The kit, titled How to prevent and respond to identity theft, has been funded by the Australian Government through the National Crime Prevention Program to lessen the emotional and financial devastation caused by identity theft.

  [FULL STORY, Yass Tribune]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 8, 2004 at 03:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Missouri county aids identity thieves [Independence,MO]

  If you live in Jackson County Missouri, your government is helping thieves steal your identity (unintentionally) by posting citizens' SSN, names, birth dates and addresses on the Web. This is galactically stupid--it's like giving convicted felons guns, ammo and a map to the local banks. We think this same problem likely to exist perhaps in hundreds or even thousands of other municipalities. --ScamSafe

  Online records aid identity theft
  By Dan Curry, The Examiner

  You've seen the bank ads where the woman at the hair salon speaks with the voice of a teenage nerd who boasts that he's stolen the woman's identity to buy new computer equipment.

  Currently a Web site operated by Jackson County offers would-be identity thieves a catalogue of potential victims.

  Through access to county records kept online, particularly copies of divorce decrees filed with the county, thieves can retrieve Social Security numbers, maiden names, credit card information and birth dates.

  [FULL STORY, Blue Springs Examiner]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 8, 2004 at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  ID Theft: What's It All About?

  This booklet (link below) by the FTC provides an excellent overview for consumers on identity theft. It contains answers to many common questions and has lots of great tips.

  [READ BOOKLET, PDF 200 KB]
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 6, 2004 at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Protecteer Announces Breakthrough in Online Identity Theft Protection

  WINDHAM, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2004--Protecteer LLC is announcing SignupShield 2.0, a software product that helps stop online identity theft.

  
  "Online identity theft manifests itself in many ways," says Ami Grynberg, Protecteer's CEO. "Irresponsible or rogue sites can steal your user name, your password and your email address not to mention credit card information," adds Ami.

  The need to guard one's password is clearly understood by everyone. However, most users keep using the same password to sign-up to multiple sites. They do so because they know they should not write it down and they cannot memorize different passwords for different sites. A similar, albeit less critical issue is with emails. But clearly, guarding one's email address as confidential information is not a practical solution.

  Protecteer is introducing SignupShield 2.0 which aims to solve two of the security issues facing Web surfers:

  -- Password theft

  -- Email theft and Spam

  [FULL STORY]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 4, 2004 at 06:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  What if the police won't take an ID theft report?

  Make sure you get a police report--insist on it

  There are efforts at the federal, state and local level to ensure that local law enforcement agencies understand identity theft, its impact on victims, and the importance of taking a police report. However, some departments are still not taking reports. The following tips may help you to get a report if you're having difficulties:

  Furnish as much documentation as you can to prove your case. Debt collection letters, credit reports, your notarized ID Theft Affidavit from the FTC, and other evidence of fraudulent activity can help demonstrate the seriousness of your case.
  
  Be persistent if local authorities tell you that they can't take a report. Stress the importance of a police report; many creditors require one to resolve your dispute. Remind them that credit bureaus will automatically block the fraudulent accounts and bad debts from appearing on your credit report, but only if you can give them a copy of the police report.
  
  If you're told that identity theft is not a crime under your state law, ask to file a Miscellaneous Incident Report instead.
  
  If you can't get the local police to take a report, try your county police. If that doesn't work, try your state police.

  Many police departments may be reluctant to write a report on this type of crime. Some may say that you are not the victim; rather, it is the credit grantor who lost the money. They may want the report to come from the creditor, who oftentimes will not cooperate because it is not cost-effective for them to spend the time and energy to assist the police. To them, fraud loss is viewed as a cost of doing business. Even if the creditor won't prosecute, you must insist that the police take a report. Speak to the head of the fraud unit (or white-collar crime unit) of the police department in the county(s) or cities where the fraudulent accounts were opened. (If accounts were opened all over the nation, you may be able to get the Secret Service involved). In order to clean up the credit mess, you will need a report.

  
  Source: FTC

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 3, 2004 at 01:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  10 Ways To Protect Against Mail Theft

  Taking your mail is a common way for thieves to steal your identity

  Identity theft is America's fastest-growing crime. In 2003 alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft — a 41 percent increase over the year before — at a cost to the U.S. economy of roughly $53 billion. In reality, the number of identity theft victims and the economic impact of the various crimes involved — from mail theft to Internet fraud — were probably even higher. And as identity thieves find new ways of stealing people's identifying information and new ways of abusing it, these crimes are expected to proliferate at an even faster rate.

  It's commonly assumed that the current fraud epidemic has its roots online. In fact, identity theft often begins with mail theft: letters and packages stolen from unlocked or unprotected mailboxes — often placed along rural or suburban roads or grouped in front of apartment buildings, where access is easy and oversight is nil.

  For an identity thief, the haul can be substantial: credit cards, driver's licenses, bank statements, boxes of unused checks, Social Security payments, health insurance cards, tax information, and other sensitive data. The criminals then leverage this information to exploit existing accounts or to create new ones. They may use chemical agents to remove handwritten information from stolen checks, which are then repurposed and cashed. They run up bills, pass bad checks, buy cars and houses, engage in various other criminal practices — and, in the end, pin the whole mess on you.

  1. Never put outbound mail into an unsecured mailbox, especially if it contains checks or sensitive personal information. Instead, take it to a U.S. Post Office branch or place it in a U.S.P.S. mail collection box.
  2. Always use a locking mailbox for incoming mail. Install a locking mailbox approved as secure by the U.S. Postal Service or use a U.S. Post Office box. Contact your local Postmaster for regulations and specifications regarding locking mailboxes.
  3. Remove mail from your mailbox promptly, especially if your mailbox is not secure. If you won't be home when sensitive or valuable mail is delivered, have it held or have a trusted neighbor or friend retrieve it.
  4. Don't have blank checks delivered to your home address. Instead, have them held at your bank branch until you can pick them up personally.
  5. Don't have mail delivered while you're out of town. Have the post office hold your mail if you'll be away for an extended period.
  6. Reduce the number of credit offers sent to you by mail. Contact the three major credit reporting agencies and have your credit report marked "no solicitation."
  7. Make sure you're informed when sensitive mail has been sent to you, and follow up quickly if it doesn't arrive as expected.
  8. Consider starting or joining a Neighborhood Watch program. If you see a mail theft in progress, be a good witness by calling 911 and providing the best possible description of any persons and vehicles involved.
  9. At the workplace, watch out for "Financial Friday" mail theft. Leaving mail in insecure locations over the weekend in order to leave work a little earlier is a dangerous practice that identity thieves know and exploit.
  10. If you feel you've been victimized in a mail fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail, submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. If you have become a victim of identity theft, contact the FTC, the credit bureaus, and your bank, and obtain expert guidance immediately to resolve your problem as quickly as possible.

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 3, 2004 at 01:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  What are fraud alerts and victim statements?

  Fraud alerts let creditors know that fraud has been associated with your credit report. As a result, creditors may confirm that they're dealing with you and not an imposter before granting credit or other services.

  Victim statements tell creditors to contact you before granting credit or other services. Victim statements may cause delays in getting credit while the creditor tries to contact you. If you have a cell phone, you may want to include that number in your statement.

  Contact the three credit bureaus for more information.

  Are fraud alerts and victim statements always effective?
  Fraud alerts and victim statements seem to be generally effective. However, because credit grantors do not have to consider them when extending credit, you should continue to check your credit reports periodically, especially in your first year of discovery, to make sure no new fraudulent activity is taking place.

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  How do I get my name off marketing lists?

  1. Stop pre-approved credit card offers. Have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists. Call toll-free 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688).

     Have your name, address, and phone number removed from many other marketing lists. Contact the Direct Marketing Association. This will not stop all marketing mailings and telephone calls, but it will cut out many.

     DMA Mail Preference Service
     P. O. Box 643
     Carmel, NY 10512
     Or online (for a $5 charge) at www.the-dma.org

     DMA Telephone Preference Service
     P. O. Box 1559
     Carmel, NY 10512
     Or online (for a $5 charge) at www.the-dma.org

     Tell telemarketers who call you to put you on their "do not call" list. Federal law requires them to do this.

  2. The National Do Not Call Registry is open for business, putting consumers in charge of the telemarketing calls they get at home. The Federal government created the national registry to make it easier and more efficient for you to stop getting telemarketing calls you don’t want. You can register online at WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.

     
     

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  California's 2003 Law for Consumer's Security

  California has an important new law that took effect on July 1, 2003. It requires companies and state agencies to notify California residents of certain security breaches that could result in identity theft. The law requires notice if an unauthorized person has acquired an individual's name and either Social Security number, driver's license number, or financial account number. The notice gives an individual the chance to take steps to protect against identity theft, such as putting a fraud alert on credit files. In addition, Senator Dianne Feinstein recently introduced a bill in Congress to create a similar federal law.
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  What Federal Laws Exist to Protect my Privacy?

  Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994
  http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/2721.html
  This law puts limits on disclosures of personal information in records maintained by departments of motor vehicles.

  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
  http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/20/1232g.html
  This law puts limits on disclosure of educational records maintained by agencies and institutions that receive federal funding.

  Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (to be codified in relevant part at 15 U.S.C. §§ 6801-6809)

  Title V, subtitle A, of this Act, Pub. L. No. 106-102,
  http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/
  §§ 501-510, 113 Stat. 1338, 1436-45 (Nov. 12, 1999) requires the FTC, along with the Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, the Treasury Department, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, to issue regulations (to be codified at 16 CFR Part 313) ensuring that financial institutions protect the privacy of consumers' personal financial information. Such institutions must develop and give notice of their privacy policies to their own customers at least annually, and before disclosing any consumer's personal financial information to a nonaffiliated third party, must give notice and an opportunity for that consumer to "opt out" from such disclosure.

  Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, Final Rule - 45 CFR parts 160 and 164
  http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/bannerps.htm#privacy
  The privacy rule regulates the security and confidentiality of patient information. It took effect on April 14, 2001, with most covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouse and health care providers who conduct certain financial and administrative transactions electronically) having until April 2003 to comply.

  Source: FTC

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  What Federal Laws Exist to Protect my Credit?

  Fair Credit Reporting Act
  http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/1681.html
  The Fair Credit Reporting Act establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on your credit record and requires that your record only be provided for legitimate business needs.

  Fair Credit Billing Act
  http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/ch41schIpD.html
  The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures for resolving billing errors on your credit card accounts. It also limits a consumer's liability for fraudulent credit card charges.

  Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
  http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/1692.html
  The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits debt collectors from using unfair or deceptive practices to collect overdue bills that your creditor has forwarded for collection.

  Electronic Fund Transfer Act
  http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/1693.html
  The Electronic Fund Transfer Act provides consumer protection for all transactions using a debit card or electronic means to debit or credit an account. It also limits a consumer's liability for unauthorized electronic fund transfers.

  
  Source: FTC

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Is identity theft a federal crime?

  Yes. The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, enacted by Congress in October 1998 (and codified, in part, at 18 U.S.C. 1028(a)(7)) is the federal law directed at identity theft.

  The Act makes it a federal crime when someone:

  "knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of federal law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local law."

  Note that under the Act, a name or SSN is considered a "means of identification." So is a credit card number, cellular telephone electronic serial number or any other piece of information that may be used alone or in conjunction with other information to identify a specific individual.

  In most instances, a conviction for identity theft carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment, a fine and forfeiture of any personal property used or intended to be used to commit the crime. Schemes to commit identity theft or fraud also may involve violations of other statutes, such as credit card fraud; computer fraud; mail fraud; wire fraud; financial institution fraud; or Social Security fraud. Each of these federal offenses is a felony and carries substantial penalties - in some cases, as high as 30 years in prison, fines and criminal forfeiture.

  Is identity theft a crime in my state?
  Most states have passed laws related to identity theft. Where specific identity theft laws do not exist, the practices may be prohibited under other laws. See Laws or contact your State Attorney General's office or local consumer protection agency to find out whether your state has laws related to identity theft.

  What federal agencies investigate identity theft crimes?

  Violations of the The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act are investigated by federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General. Federal identity theft cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

  
  Source: FTC

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  How can I prevent identity theft from happening to me?

  As with any crime, you can't guarantee that you will never be a victim, but you can minimize your risk. By managing your personal information widely, cautiously and with an awareness of the issue, you can help guard against identity theft.

  • Check the monthly billing statements for your credit cards. This is key! Review them carefully and look for any unusual or unknown transactions.

  • Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you've initiated the contact or are sure you know who you're dealing with. Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers (ISPs) and even government agencies to get you to reveal your SSN, mother's maiden name, account numbers, and other identifying information. Before you share any personal information, confirm that you are dealing with a legitimate organization. You can check the organization's Web site as many companies post scam alerts when their name is used improperly, or you can call customer service using the number listed on your account statement or in the telephone book.
    
    
  • Don't carry your SSN card; leave it in a secure place.
    
    
  • Secure personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having service work done in your home.
    
    
  • Guard your mail and trash from theft:
    
    
    
    • Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office, rather than in an unsecured mailbox. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you're planning to be away from home and can't pick up your mail, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a vacation hold. The Postal Service will hold your mail at your local post office until you can pick it up or are home to receive it.
      
      
    • To thwart an identity thief who may pick through your trash or recycling bins to capture your personal information, tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you're discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail. If you do not use the pre-screened credit card offers you receive in the mail, you can opt out by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567- 8688). Please note that you will be asked for your Social Security number in order for the credit bureaus to identify your file so that they can remove you from their lists and you still may receive some credit offers because some companies use different lists from the credit bureaus’ lists.
      
    
    
  • Carry only the identification information and the number of credit and debit cards that you'll actually need.
    
    
  • Place passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers. When opening new accounts, you may find that many businesses still have a line on their applications for your mother's maiden name. Use a password instead.
    
    
  • Ask about information security procedures in your workplace or at businesses, doctor's offices or other institutions that collect personally identifying information from you. Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that it is handled securely. Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well. Find out if your information will be shared with anyone else. If so, ask if you can keep your information confidential.
    
    
  • Give your SSN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible. If your state uses your SSN as your driver's license number, ask to substitute another number. Do the same if your health insurance company uses your SSN as your account number.
    
    
  • Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if your bills don't arrive on time. A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks.
    
    
  • Be wary of promotional scams. Identity thieves may use phony offers to get you to give them your personal information.
    
    
  • Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work as well as any copies you may keep of administrative forms that contain your sensitive
    personal information.
    
    
  • Cancel all unused credit accounts.
    
    
  • When ordering new checks, pick them up at the bank, rather than having them sent to your home mailbox.
    

  
  Source: FTC & ScamSafe

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 09:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  How do I Contact Credit Bureaus to Get Credit Reports?

  You can get your free credit report (and other credit products) through ScamSafe...just click here. We are an affiliate of ConsumerInfo which is part of Experian, one of the three main credit bureaus.

  If you prefer to contact the credit bureaus directly, here's how:

  Equifax
  To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write:
  P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
  Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056

  Experian
  To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:
  P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013
  TDD: 1-800-972-0322

  Trans Union
  To order your report, call: 800-888-4213 or write:
  P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
  TDD: 1-877-553-7803
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on March 1, 2004 at 09:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Can Consumers Fight Back Against Credit Fraud?

  In this age of information, credit fraud is not a difficult crime to perpetrate. The idea that a thief could gain access to your account information or personal data is not as implausible as you might think--social security number misuse has increased over the last two years, resulting in a variety of credit-related crimes.

  Fortunately, you can fight back against credit fraud by learning how credit fraud and identity theft occur, and by actively monitoring your credit report for unauthorized account use on a regular basis. Your credit report will list any new activity on accounts you haven’t been using, as well as new accounts that you did not open.

  One of the best ways to keep track of new information that is added to your credit report is the CreditCheck Monitoring Service, which provides Online Monthly Monitoring Alerts to inform you of new derogatory information, recent inquiries into your credit, and several indicators of possible credit fraud. If you would like to sign up for the CreditCheck Monitoring Service, click here . You’ll get a free copy of your credit report when you sign up for a free 30-day trial.

  To have credit report information at your fingertips is the best way to shut an identity thief down--you can begin the process of notifying your creditors of the fraud, changing your passwords, and closing down fraudulent accounts before they wind up in the hands of collectors and compromise your good credit.

  How Credit Fraud and Identity Theft Occur
  Specific personal data, such as your Social Security number, home address and mother’s maiden name, can be all a thief needs to obtain a fraudulent driver’s license, take over existing bank or credit accounts, divert card statements to a different address, or even apply for new credit card accounts under your name. Thieves can obtain this information in variety of ways, including fishing through trash for account statements, lifting cards from lost or stolen purses, wallets and briefcases, or through telephone or Internet scams.

  How to Prevent Credit Fraud and Identity Theft
  Customers may be in a position to prevent potential identity theft by closely guarding their personal data. For example, never give out your Social Security number over the phone unless you know the company you are dealing with and have initiated the call.

  Similarly, if your mother’s maiden name is not likely to be a secure password, consider changing it to something a little more difficult for a thief to obtain. Also, carry only the cards you are actually going to use, and leave official documents like Social Security cards, passports and birth certificates at home or in a safety deposit box.

  Account Takeover Fraud
  Credit card account statements contain a lot of sensitive information that you don’t want thieves to get a hold of, and even store receipts will frequently have your credit card number printed on them. Sometimes an account number is all a thief needs to make charges and obtain cash advances. It’s a good idea to shred all financial documents before discarding them.

  A thief in possession of sensitive information about you may also be able to go one step further, and commit account takeover fraud, simply by calling your creditor, reading off your account number, a partial Social Security number and your mother’s maiden name, and asking them to change the mailing address on the account. For this reason, if you don’t receive a credit card statement on time, you should call your creditor immediately to verify that the address has not been changed.

  Checking your credit report may also reveal activity on an account you don’t use--get a FREE copy of your credit report to see your currently open accounts, and stay on top of the situation with the CreditCheck Monitoring Service.

  Pre-Approved Credit Offers
  Another source of potential credit fraud is pre-approved credit offers. A thief who intercepts one may fill out the application and change the address to obtain a credit card in your name for which you will never receive a statement. (To combat this, some creditors will not issue a card to a new address on a pre-approved offer certificate, but this policy isn’t universal.) This makes checking your credit report especially important, because it will show you if there are accounts being reported in your name of which you are not aware. The thief may even make the minimum payments for a while, until such time as the card is maxed out. Then the account would eventually be turned over for collections--in your name, and listed on your credit report.

  The CreditCheck Monitoring Service Can Help
  In many cases, the only way you’ll catch credit fraud early is by obtaining a copy of your credit report. However, most consumers may not have time to order a copy of their credit report on a month-by-month basis, and read through all the information looking for the items that may indicate possible credit fraud.

  That’s why the Credit Check Monitoring Service is ideal for consumers who want to keep current on their credit information. At roughly half the cost of ordering your credit report every month, the CreditCheck Monitoring Service provides Online Monthly Monitoring Alerts that show you only recent changes for easy reference. In addition, you can obtain unlimited free copies of your credit report at any time during your paid membership!
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 26, 2004 at 07:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Five Reasons to Check Your Credit Report Regularly

  In much the same way that a resume displays your work experience to a prospective employer, a credit report provides prospective creditors (and in some cases employers and insurers too) with a detailed picture of your credit history. And like a resume, your credit report can influence whether you will receive what you are applying for.

  Ideally, your credit report is an accurate, up-to-date reflection of your credit history. However, since we don't live in an ideal world, there are many reasons that your credit report could contain inaccuracies that might prevent you from receiving the credit you deserve. The good news is you can take action to keep your report accurate. Here are the top five reasons why you should make a practice of regularly reviewing your credit report:

  Inaccuracies & Mixed Credit Files
  Many inaccuracies on a credit report can be the result of simple human error, and are therefore are not difficult to dispute. Of course, if you don't order your credit report, you might never know about it. Whether the inaccuracies relate to payments not credited, late payments, or data mixed in from the credit file of someone else with a name similar to yours, you will want to contact the credit bureau to dispute inaccurate information promptly. If you would like to get a free copy of your credit report, click here now.

  Tracking Payments
  One of the most important elements of credit is a demonstrated history of on time payments. Once you send the check though, anything can happen--a delay in the payment being received can kick you over to a 30-day delinquency. If you call your creditor and explain the situation, they might adjust the information. Of course, if you don't read your credit report, you won't necessarily know which payments are being received and reported properly.

  Identity Theft
  This issue alone is reason to order your credit report immediately. Identity theft is an insidious crime, involving a thief who assumes your name to open new accounts, divert your card statements to another address, and run up all sorts of bad debt without you ever knowing about it until collectors come calling. Over time, identity theft could jeopardize your ability to obtain further credit. The best way to catch a thief who is using your name is by getting a copy of your credit report, which will show you if there are accounts listed you know you haven't opened. For example, if a thief has intercepted a pre-approved credit card offer in your name and sent it in with a change of address, your credit report will include the account. If you would like to get a free copy of your credit report, click here now.

  Inquiries
  If you're shopping around for a loan or more credit, you should know that when creditors check your credit, it places an inquiry on your credit report. Inquiries can add up, which is often interpreted as a negative by creditors. For this reason, too many inquiries can actually make getting credit more difficult. Moreover, if you didn't authorize someone to look at your credit report and they did, they may have broken the law. If you would like to see who's been looking at your credit, click here to get a free copy of your credit report.

  Credit Fraud--Unauthorized Charges
  Credit fraud involves the theft of your credit card or account number to make unauthorized charges to your account. Though consumers are protected financially from this abuse, other creditors may take note of all this activity and decide to raise your interest rates or refuse to grant you a loan. Ordering your credit report will help you catch new activity on accounts that you haven't been using, or may have closed.

  When it comes to managing your credit worthiness, your credit report is your best resource. Ordering your credit report gives you the opportunity to manage your credit wisely today, while planning your credit strategy for achieving future goals--a credit-savvy move every consumer should make!
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 26, 2004 at 07:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Act can help you fight identity theft, protect your privacy

  Imagine that some unscrupulous bank employee took your credit report, complete with your Social Security number, and started applying for credit cards in your name.

  So you put a fraud alert on your credit file, warning companies not to issue credit. But one ignored it and issued another card to the identity thief.

  Then imagine that when you got the bills from the thief's latest shopping spree, you contacted the bank that issued the card, but the bank wouldn't give you any information.

  All those scenarios would have played out differently under the new Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, which provides more tools to fight identity theft and protect consumers' privacy.

  Under the law, you can request that not all of your Social Security number appear on your credit file. Also, it will be illegal for companies to ignore a fraud alert.

  And every identity theft victim who files a police report can get transaction records from businesses where a thief opened accounts or bought things in his or her name.

  "Before this law passed, a consumer did not have the right to obtain records where the thief used their name," said Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer organization in Washington, D.C. "Before the business would say: 'How do we know you're not a fraudster? We can't give you records you say aren't yours.' Now they have to."

  The FACT Act makes sweeping changes and additions to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which governs the accuracy and privacy of the information used in credit reports. The new act adds several provisions to combat identity theft and to enhance accuracy and consumer access to credit information. The changes affect insurers, lenders, collection agencies, employers, rental agencies and all companies that use, compile and furnish information for consumer reports.

  [FULL STORY]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 26, 2004 at 02:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  FTC Releases Top 10 Consumer Complaint Categories in 2003

  Identity Theft Complaints Continue to Top List; Internet Related Fraud Complaints Soar

  The Federal Trade Commission has released its annual report detailing consumer complaints about identity theft and listing the top 10 fraud complaint categories reported by consumers in 2003. For the fourth year in a row, identity theft topped the list, accounting for 42 percent of the complaints lodged in the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel database. The FTC received more than half a million complaints in 2003, up from 404,000 in 2002, and Internet-related complaints accounted for 55 percent of all fraud reports, up from 45
  percent in 2002.

  "The lines between ID theft in the online and offline world are often blurred. The FTC report underscores the growing threats to consumers and businesses perpetrated by criminals, and ITAA will continue to work with the Commission to combat these threats," said ITAA President Harris N. Miller.

  ITAA is the secretariat of a new coalition formed to combat criminal activity in the online world, the Online Identity Theft Prevention Coalition. The coalition will unite technology, financial and eCommerce companies to share information about ID theft, educate consumers to combat online ID theft, work with government to cultivate an environment that protects consumers and businesses from online fraud, and help promote technology that would prevent online ID theft.

  [FULL STORY]

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 26, 2004 at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Study: Identity theft worries consumers

  By Dinesh C. Sharma
  Special to CNET News.com
  
  Most consumers do poorly when it comes to password management, making them vulnerable to identity theft, according to a new survey.

  That's in spite of an increased awareness among consumers about the need to protect their identity online, RSA Security said in the study released Wednesday. That gap between the perceived risk and the strength of safeguards against it could sap customer confidence in online business, hindering companies from taking advantage of the cost-savings and revenue potential of the Internet, the security firm said.

  [FULL STORY]
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 26, 2004 at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Contacting credit bureaus to report fraud

  Equifax
  To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 and write:
  P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
  Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056

  Experian
  To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
  P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
  TDD: 1-800-972-0322

  Trans Union
  To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 and write:
  Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
  TDD: 1-877-553-7803
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 22, 2004 at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  How can I tell if my ID has been stolen?

  Monitor the balances of your financial accounts--read your statements! Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals.

  Other indications of identity theft include:
  

  • failing to receive bills or other mail, which may signal an address change by the identity thief,
    
  • receiving credit cards for which you did not apply,
    
  • being denied credit for no apparent reason, or
    
  • receiving calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you did not buy.

  Although any of these indications could be a result of a simple error, you should not assume that there’s been a mistake and do nothing. Always follow up with the business or institution to find out.

  If an identity thief is opening new credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You can find out by ordering a copy of your credit report from any of three major credit bureaus*. Check your report carefully to make sure it is accurate. If you do find any inaccurate information, you should check your reports from the other two credit bureaus. Note: If your personal information has recently been lost or stolen, you should check all of your reports more frequently for the first year.

  *The three major U.S. credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 22, 2004 at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  What can happen if my identity is stolen?

  If your identity is stolen and used fraudulently, your credit rating can be ruined, your money stolen, you could get into legal trouble, and any number of other financial problems can result. For example, once identity thieves have your personal information, they may:

  • Go on spending sprees using your credit and debit card account numbers to buy "big-ticket" items like computers that they can easily sell.
    
  • Open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN. When they don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
    
  • Change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on the account. Because the bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there's a problem.
    
  • Take out auto loans in your name.
    
  • Establish phone or wireless service in your name.
    
  • Counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
    
  • Open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
    
  • File for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred, or to avoid eviction.
    
  • Give your name to the police during an arrest. If they are released and don't show up for their court date, an arrest warrant could be issued in your name.
    

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 22, 2004 at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  What is identity Theft? How does it happen?

  Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, address, Social Security number (SSN), bank or credit card account number, or other identifying information without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.

  Identity thieves may use a variety of low- and high-tech methods to gain access to your personally identifying information. For example:

  • They get information from businesses or institutions by Stealing records from their employer, bribing an employee who has access to the records, conning information out of employees, or hacking into the organization's computers.
    
    
  • They rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving."
    
    
  • They obtain credit reports by abusing their employer's authorized access to credit reports or by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for and a legal right to the information.
    
    
  • They steal credit and debit card account numbers as your card is processed by using a special information storage device in a practice known as "skimming."
    
    
  • They steal wallets and purses containing identification and credit and bank cards.
    
    
  • They steal mail, including bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, or tax information.
    
    
  • They complete a "change of address form" to divert mail to another location.
    
    
  • They steal personal information from your home.
    
    
  • They scam information from you by posing as a legitimate business person or government official.
    

  Source: FTC

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 22, 2004 at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  What to do if your identity has been stolen

  (1) Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus* to place a fraud alert on your credit file (see below for instructions). The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge. Once you receive your reports, review them carefully to make sure no fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts.

  Please note: The automated “one-call” process only works for the initial placement of your fraud alert. Orders for additional credit reports or renewals of your fraud alerts must be made separately at each of the three major credit bureaus.
  
  (2) Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use this ID Theft Affidavit from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) when disputing new unauthorized accounts. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor (for example, credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities, and banks and other lenders). It's particularly important to notify credit card companies in writing.

  (3) File a police report--insist on it. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime. File the report with your city, county or state police. See our story called What if the police won't take an ID theft report? for more info.

  (4) File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

  (5) Keep records of everything you do to deal with this (calls, emails, letters, etc.)

  (6) Follow up all calls in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Send letters to the companies which hold any accounts that were used fraudulently. Explain that you did not make the charges on your statement or that you never requested new credit that was issued. Include in the letter all factual information such as statements or other documents that back you up. Include a copy of your police report and a fraud affidavit. Also send letters to the credit bureaus explaining that someone has stolen your identity and what actions the thief has taken. Includes key facts including copies of statements, documents and police reports that back you up. Re-state that a fraud alert should have been placed on your credit file and that credit should not be granted unless you or your spouse is contacted for verification. Keep copies of everything for your files.

  (7) You may also want to contact the following organizations :
  + Social Security Administration. If your SSN has been used in an unauthorized manner, call the Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0721 or access the Web site: www.ssa.gov
  + Department of Motor Vehicles. If a motor vehicle is involved.
  + Local Post Office and United States Postal Inspection Service. If mail fraud or a change of address is involved. The Web site is www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect/fraud/IdentityTheft.htm
  + Federal Bureau of Investigation. If fraudulent activity extends across state lines. The web site is www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/territory.htm
  + United States Secret Service. If counterfeit checks are involved, call (404) 331-6111 or access the Web site www.ustreas.gov/usss/
  + U.S. Department of State. For lost or stolen passports. Their web site is www.state.gov
  + Internal Revenue Service. If fraudulent tax returns are involved. Access their Web site at www.irs.gov

  *How to contact the three major U.S. credit bureaus

  Equifax
  To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 and write:
  P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
  Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.

  Experian
  To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
  P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
  TDD: 1-800-972-0322

  Trans Union
  To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 and write:
  Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
  TDD: 1-877-553-7803
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 22, 2004 at 01:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

  Identity Theft Insurance

  Identity theft insurance provides reimbursement to crime victims for the cost of restoring their identity and repairing credit reports. Some companies now include it as part of their homeowners insurance policy. Others sell it as either a stand alone policy or as an endorsement to a homeowners or renters insurance policy.

  On average, these policies cost between $25 and $50 for $15,000 to $25,000 worth of coverage. Identity theft insurance provides reimbursement for expenses such as phone bills, lost wages, notary and certified mailing costs and sometimes attorney fees with the prior consent of the insurer.

  The following companies offer identity theft insurance:

  [AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP]

  [CHUBB GROUP OF INSURANCE COMPANIES]

  [ENCOMPASS INSURANCE]

  [FARMERS GROUP, INC.]

  [TRAVELERS INSURANCE]

  Source: INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
  

  Category: Consumer Info (ID Theft, Fraud, Credit)
  Posted on February 22, 2004 at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack