Intro

Identity Theft

Your Personal Information

Your personal information is more than your name, address and Social Security number. It includes your shopping habits, driving record, medical diagnoses, work history, credit score and much more.

Right to Privacy

The right to privacy refers to having control over this personal information. It is the ability to limit:

  • who has this information
  • how this information is kept
  • what can be done with it

Unfortunately, personal privacy is lost, purchased or stolen every day.

What Can Happen

Some of the things a thief can do with your identity:

  • obtain credit or credit cards from banks and retailers
  • steal money from the victim's existing accounts
  • apply for loans
  • establish accounts with utility companies
  • rent an apartment
  • file bankruptcy
  • obtain a job using the victim's name
  • commit crimes ranging from traffic infractions to felonies

How Does It Happen?

How does an imposter take or steal your identity?

  • An imposter or identity thief just needs your social security number, birth date, and address.
  • They'll use that to obtain a false driver's license with their own picture.
  • They apply in person for instant credit, or through the mail by posing as you.
  • They often give an address of their own, claiming to have moved.
  • Many credit grantors do not verify information or addresses.
  • Once the first account is opened, they use it along with the other identifiers to add to their credibility.

Common Methods Used to Steal an Identity

At one point in time, the main concern about having your identity stolen was through losing your wallet or having someone take personal information from your trash. However, identity thieves have become very resourceful and creative! Now there are numerous ways to steal someone's identity.

Learn more about the 10 Ways Thieves Can Steal Your Identity in order to be more informed and more protected against identity theft.

What If Your Wallet Is Stolen?

You should be prepared in case your wallet with your personal information and credit cards is stolen. Before something bad happens, you should:

  • Record your credit card numbers and their toll-free numbers.
  • Make a photocopy or take picture of the contents of your wallet; be sure to copy both sides of your cards.

Store this information in a safe place. Having this information readily and easily available will help resolve the issue quickly and protect you from significant risk.

If your wallet and/or identity is stolen, you should:

  • Call your credit card company's toll-free number to report your card number as stolen and cancel or freeze the account.
  • Call the three national credit reporting organizations Equifax, Experian and TransUnion immediately to place a fraud alert on your name
  • Call the Social Security fraud line number: 1-800-269-0271

You can learn more about how to protect yourself against OR how to report problems concerning identity theft at the following governmental sites: