Identity Theft And Dealing With It
Identity theft is the act of using an individual’s or business’ private information without permission to obtain goods, benefits or money. Identity thieves have been known to steal another person’s identity in order to escape punishment for committing crimes as well.
What is needed to commit identity theft?
For the most part, identity thieves need a victim’s Social Security number. Most thieves make sure to get a birthdate, address and even telephone number. This allows criminals to obtain loans, make automobile purchases, rent an apartment, get a job and much more. The bills are then left unpaid and the victim typically finds out the ruse when creditors begin calling looking for payment.
How do identity thieves get their hands on such information?
Identity thieves have several methods for harvesting information. If a thief is not dumpster diving to find discarded credit card and banks statements, he or she is swiping data from their jobs as cashiers, bank tellers, insurance agents and other environments rich in personal information. Some thieves use technology and put out phony websites and emails that trick people into handing their information over.
What is the best way to stop identity theft?
There is no surefire way to guarantee one will never be a victim of identity theft or stop it in its tracks once it is started. However, keeping a vigilant eye on one’s information is the best way to keep chances of being defrauded low. This means monitoring one’s credit report on a regular basis. Stopping identity theft once it is started is managed by filing a police report and putting a security freeze on a credit report with all three credit bureaus. This ensures that no further accounts or lines of credit can be opened under the victim’s name unless and until the victim gives approval.
What is a security freeze?
A security freeze is also known as a credit freeze. A credit freeze prohibits anyone from seeing a credit report unless an individual gives permission. This is not to be confused with the fraud alert that simply alerts anyone looking at a credit report that there is a possibility of identity theft currently in the picture. When placing either a credit freeze or fraud alert, it is essential to contact all three credit reporting bureas.
What are the addresses of the three credit reporting agencies
In the unfortunate event an individual has become the victim of identity thieves, he or she will need to contact the three credit reporting agencies immediately.
TransUnion?Fraud Victim Assistance Division?P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Phone: 1-800-680-7289
Equifax?P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Phone: 1-800-525-6285
Experian?P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
Phone: 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742)
Does identity theft mean getting a new Social Security number?
In most instances, no. New Social Security numbers are only provided in the most extenuating of circumstances. Though it can take time to clean up a credit report, many find is simpler to still rely on their original Social Security number.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:09 am
David Scott believes these data breaches and thefts are largely due to a lagging business culture. Read some fresh and original thinking from the author of “IT Wars” – http://www.businessforum.com/DScott_02.html – I urge every business person and IT person, management or staff, to get hold of a copy of “I.T. Wars: Managing the Business-Technology Weave in the New Millennium.” It has an excellent chapter on security, and how to scale security for any organization, any budget. It also has a plan template with all considerations. Our CEO has read this book. Our project managers are on their second reading. Our vendors are required to read it (they can borrow our copies if they don’t want to purchase it). Any agencies that wish to partner with us: We ask that they read it. Do yourself a favor and read this book – then ask your boss to read it – then ask your staff and co-workers to read it.