Identity Theft

Identity theft is a state and federal crime. It occurs when your personal information (name, social security number, bank account number etc.) is used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.

Identity thefts can destroy your credit and good name.  It can cost you time and money to clean up the financial mess that identity thieves made.
 

Common Ways ID Theft Happens

Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.

Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.

Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.

Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form.

"Old-Fashioned" Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.

How to Protect Yourself From ID Theft

While nothing can guarantee that you won't become a victim of identity theft, you can minimize your risk, and minimize the damage if a problem develops, by making it more difficult for identity thieves to access your personal information. Here are a few precautions you can take to protect yourself:

	Don’t put out going mail in the mailbox with the flag up
	Don’t give out personal information to strangers over the phone
	Don’t share your computer name and PIN with anyone
	Make copies of everything in your wallet or purse and put it in a handy place
	Don’t respond to e-mails asking you to verify account information
	Don’t respond to e-mails asking you to provide account information
	Independently verify everything
	Buy a shredder
	Use your shredder
	Don’t enter sweepstakes over the phone
	Don’t give personal information over the phone to charity solicitors
	Check your credit report periodically and look for new credit or inquiries
	Don’t leave a paper trail when using an ATM, credit card or gas card

For more information visit the FTC’s web site – Minimize Your Risk! 

What Should You Do If You Are A Victim Of ID Theft?

If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps as soon as possible, and keep a record with the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Visit the website operated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  The FDLE has developed a program to assist you with identity theft claims.  The FDLE website is http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/compid.

For More information visit the FTC’s web site – Recover from Identity Theft

Alerts and Tips

	Avoid ID Theft
	Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams
	ID Theft Consumer Education Kit
	Internet Pirates Are Trying to Steal Your Personal Financial Information
	On Guard On Line: Your Safety Net
	Phishing Scam: E-mail Fraud
	Office Cautions Investors of Fraud during Financial Problems