Lyle Hansen M.S., AFC & Jerome County Extension Office Luke Erickson M.S., AFC

1. GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT /FRAUD Lyle Hansen M.S., AFC & Jerome County Extension Office Luke Erickson M.S., AFC Madison County Extension Office Adapted from “Guard Against Identity Theft” By Marsha Lockard Owyhee County Extension Office

2. Identity Theft Happens . . . • When someone STEALS your: • Name • Social Security Number • Driver’s License Number • Credit Card Number • E-mail Address • Other personal information • Then uses it to commit fraud or theft.

3. An Alarming Crime • Identity Theft/Fraud is top consumer complaint in the U.S. • Over 1.3 million complaints in 2010 • 6.1 million complaints since 1997 • Over $1.7 billion in total losses in 2010. • Median amount paid $594

4. How Do Thieves Do It? (What do you think?) • Complete false “change of address” forms. • Steal your purse or wallet. • Obtain personal information at work. • Find personal information in your home.

5. How Do Thieves Do It? (Are there any you are not familiar with?) • Dumpster diving • Steal your mail • “Pretexting” • “Phishing” • Fraudulently obtain credit reports • Friends and relatives

6. Generic greeting, did not use my user name or actual name Misspelling, and incorrect grammar. Created a sense of urgency Direct link asking for my password (to imposter site)

7. The Identity Thief May . . . • Go on spending sprees using your credit & debit cards to buy big ticket items. • Open new credit card accounts. • Change mailing address on your credit card accounts. • Take out loans to purchase a car or even a home in your name.

8. The Identity Thief May (2) . . . • Give your name to police during an arrest. If they are released and don’t show up for court date, an arrest warrant could be issued in your name.

9. Minimize Your Risk • Protect your Social Security Number: • Do not use on checks, insurance or other cards, driver’s license. • Memorize your number and do not carry your card with you. • Ask why when your SS# is requested: • How will it be used? • How will it be protected? • Is it necessary?

10. Minimize Your Risk (2) • Carry only the credit cards you need. • Keep a copy of all your important account and phone numbers. • Write them down. • Take a picture. • Photocopy. • Keep copy in a safe secure place.

11. Minimize Your Risk (3) • Obtain free credit report yearly. • www.annualcreditreport.com • One free credit report is available from each of the credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. • 1-877-322-8228 • Mail “Annual Credit Report Request” form to: • Annual Credit Report Request Service P. O. Box 105283 Atlanta, GA 30348-5283

12. Minimize Your Risk (6) • Remove your name from pre-approved credit card mailing lists. You can do this by going to www.optoutprescreen.com or calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT.

13. Minimize Your Risk (7) • Stop telemarketers from calling your home and cell phone numbers. You can do this by going to WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV or calling 1-888-382-1222. • Your phone numbers will be removed for LIFE (No Longer Only 5 Years)!

14. Minimize Your Risk (8) • Reduce unwanted mail! • Register with the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service • Free if you go to www.dmachoice.org • $1 processing fee if you request by mail: DMA choice Direct Marketing Association P.O. Box 643 Carmel, NY 10512

15. Minimize Your Risk (9) • FREEZE Your Credit! • Costs $6 Per Credit Bureau in Idaho • Costs $6 to “Thaw” Unfreeze Credit • One of the most successful tools to prevent financial Identity Theft! • See handout “Stop Identity Theft Cold by “Freezing Your Credit!”

16. Minimize Your Risk (10) • Do not provide personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless: • You placed the call or the letter or email And • You know the company is reputable and the request is legitimate.

17. Signs of Identity Theft

18. Signs of Identity Theft • See unauthorized changes in financial accounts. • Fail to receive bills or other mail. • Receive credit cards you didn’t request.

19. Signs of Identity Theft (2) • Receive credit denial. • Get calls from debt collectors. • Recognize unusual credit report activity. • Other Signs?

20. If You Are a Victim . . . 1. File a police report immediately and get a copy! - Believe it or not, but the police usually will not be able to do anything. - So why file a report?

21. If You Are a Victim (2). . . 2. Contact your creditor. • Stop payment on checks. • Request new ATM and credit cards. • Change passwords or PIN numbers. • Call your other creditors and notify them of the situation.

22. If You Are a Victim (3). . . 3. Contact the 3 credit reporting agencies: • Add a “victim’s statement” to your file. • Request a free copy of credit report, to check for additional affected accounts. • Place a fraud alert in your files with caution.

23. If You Are a Victim (4) . . . 4. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). • 1-877-IDTHEFT is FTC’s hotline for ID Theft victims to file complaints & get information to repair credit. • www.consumer.gov/idtheft

24. idahostwocenttips.com • Sign-up to receive these financial tips by email! • erickson@uidaho.edu

25. Evaluation

26. Questions Luke Erickson M.S., AFC University of Idaho Extension Educator, Personal Finance Madison County Extension Office (208) 359-6215: erickson@uidaho.edu