Talking through Identity Theft A Webinar for the Blind and Visually Impaired

1. Talking through Identity Theft AWebinar for the Blind and Visually Impaired July 31, 2013

2. What we will discuss • Identity theft basics • What is identity theft? • How do you protect yourself, friends, and family? • What should you do if identity theft occurs? • Special topics • Medical identity theft • Public benefits identity theft • Child identity theft • Senior identity theft

3. Basic Identity Theft

4. What is identity theft? When someone uses the personal information of someone else to pose as that consumer, in order to: fraudulently obtain goods or services, or conceal their true identity

5. How information is misused

6. The impact of identity theft Denial of credit Denial of medical care Denial of pubic benefits Loss/denial of employment Arrest Time and expense

7. Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

8. How does identity theft happen? Lost or stolen wallets Dumpster diving or stolen mail Theft by family, friends, advisors, assistants, or caregivers Corrupt insider High-tech identity theft (data breaches, phishing, malware)

9. Deterring identity theft Empty your purse or wallet Shred Select assistants, advisors, and caregivers carefully Don’t give out your personal information unless you are sure who you are dealing with Monitor accounts Get your free annual credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com

10. Online safety • Keep anti-virus software up-to-date • Be careful using social networks • Use difficult to guess passwords • When online shopping make sure site is secure • Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails

11. What to Do If Identity Theft Occurs?

12. Four steps • 1) Contact Consumer Reporting Agencies • 2) Contact companies • 3) File a complaint with the FTC • 4) File a Police Report

13. Step 1: Contact CRAs Contact by phone or online: Equifax 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com Experian 1-888-EXPERIAN www.experian.com Transunion 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com Place fraud alerts on credit reports Obtain credit report free of charge Consider credit freeze

14. Fraud Alert • One call • Creditors must take “reasonable steps” to verify identity • 90 days or 7 years

15. Credit Freeze • Write each bureau • No one can apply for new credit – must thaw the report by contacting each bureau again • Possible fee

16. Step 2: Contact companies where thief committed fraud Contact fraud department Instruct company to immediately close or freeze the accounts that have been fraudulently opened or used Send written dispute including an Identity Theft Affidavit Request letter from company describing results of their actions

17. Step 3: File a complaint with the FTC The FTC provides hotline phone counselors: Call: 877-438-4338 TTY: 866-653-4261 The FTC has web-based complaint filing system: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ Online you can print complaint as “ID Theft Affidavit”

18. Step 4: File a Police Report Call the local police as soon as possible Note: for children, police report may not be as critical -- Uniform Minor’s Status Declaration may suffice

19. SPECIAL TOPICS

20. Medical identity theft Thief uses your identity or health insurance to receive care Thief’s medical records may become merged with victim’s records May be difficult to remedy

21. How to assist victims Report theft to local law enforcement Request medical records and privacy policy from regular provider Request medical records and privacy policy from each provider that gave care to the thief Write providers requesting correction

22. Government benefits identity theft • Thief files a tax return using your Social Security number to get a tax refund • Thief claims your child as dependent on tax return • Thief uses your Social Security number to get a job and earn money you will be asked to pay taxes on • Thief applies for public benefits using your personal information

23. Resolving benefits identity theft Get a copy of your earnings record from the Social Security Administration Mark impostor activity Provide corrected earnings statement to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Request that Social Security Number be flagged IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit: 800-908-4490

24. Child Identity Theft

25. Children are vulnerable to identity theft • Clean credit is appealing to identity thieves • Child’s information readily available • Theft of child’s identity can go undetected for long periods of time

26. Deterring child identity theft • Protect what you have • Be careful what you share • Talk with children • Safely dispose of personal information

27. Monitoring a child’s credit • Children should not have active credit files with CRAs • No need to check child’s credit every year unless child’s information is at risk • Order credit report close to child’s 16th birthday, so you can clear up any errors before child needs credit • Ask for “manual search”

28. Contacting CRAs for a child • Explain that child is a minor (under age 18) who cannot legally enter into any contract • Provide Uniform Minor’s Status Declaration and/or birth certificate • Ask CRA to immediately remove all accounts, application inquiries and collection notices from child’s file

29. SENIOR IDENTITY THEFT

30. Identity theft and seniors • Three common perpetrators: • Relative • Caregiver • Scammer • Seniors may be more vulnerable • Many people have access to their information • Many seniors have built wealth over their lifetimes • Considerations when the thief is a relative or caregiver

31. Reporting for seniors • Affidavit can be signed by personal representative. Attach copy of Power of Attorney or Guardianship Letter • Any interested person may make a law enforcement report

32. CONSUMER EDUCATION RESOURCES

33. Consumer.gov Just the basics, plain & simple Website Print Read-along audio Simplified video Resources for community leaders Consumer Education Resources

34. Each topic includes: What it is What to know What to do Consumer Education Resources

35. Want to learn more? Download or print materials from FTC.gov/idtheft Taking Charge: What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen Safeguarding Your Child’s Future Identity Theft: What To Know, What To Do Make It A Habit bookmark Consumer Education Resources

36. Consumer Education Resources Other consumer issues consumer.ftc.gov • Order free materials: bulkorder.ftc.gov

37. Views expressed in this presentation are not necessarily those of the Commission or any Commissioners. Any answers to questions are my own opinion and not the Commission’s or any Commissioner’s. Disclaimers

38. Contact information Lisa Schifferle Tel. 202-326-3377 lschifferle@ftc.gov Carol Kando-Pineda ckando@ftc.gov