With the Holidays coming to an end and the New Year beginning, it is important to remain aware of where your personal information may have ended up, especially if you shop, pay bills or conduct other on-line transactions. Identity theft is a topic that is critical because once you become victimized, it is difficult to clear your name and credit if it becomes compromised. Perpetrators will steal data such as social security numbers, date of birth, addresses, and bank account information. If your information is stolen, you may receive correspondence from companies or creditors for debt you weren’t aware of.
Credit card fraud and other financial scams are one of the most reported uses for identity theft. Some criminals steal credit card information only to make immediate purchases before the card is reported stolen. One of the bigger problems a victim may face is if other accounts are opened under their name. They may see bank or credit card transactions against their account that they did not make. A victim may also see outstanding debt from different accounts that will be in their name and will be their responsibility to pay or start the process of claiming identity theft. The process of clearing your name and credit can be costly and take an emotional toll on the victim.
Here are some tips to help prevent identity theft:
- Shred all documents that you no longer need that have personal information on them.
- Notify the post office to hold your mail if you will be out of town or have someone you trust pick up your mail.
- If using on-line sources for banking or shopping, make sure the site is secure and try to avoid using public computers or public Wi-Fi.
- Watch your surroundings when entering PIN numbers as criminals will attempt to watch from behind.
- Avoid providing personal information over the phone unless you are sure of who you are giving it to.
- Regularly check your credit report for suspicious activity.
If you become a victim it is important to:
- Immediately notify the company you have credit with about any transaction you did not authorize.
- File a police report or an online report with the Federal Trade Commission.
- Notify the three credit agencies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
- Follow-up to make sure that your credit is flagged for fraudulent activity. A fraud alert can be put on your credit to alert businesses that they must contact you prior to opening accounts.
The Lady Lake Police Department reminds you that we are here to help protect you from criminal activity but protecting your identity starts with you. Using some of these tips can help you from becoming a victim.
