Infomative Speech on Identity Theft
...ert on account. a. Once you contact one credit bureau, the other two credit bureaus will automatically be notified. b. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening new accounts or making changes to your existing accounts. 2. Close the accounts that you know or believe to have been tampered with. 3. File a police report. a. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime. 4. File your complaint with the FTC. a. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. STEPS TO TAKE TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF BECOMING A VICTIM 1. Reduce access to your personal data. a. Do not carry extra credit cards, your SS card, birth certificate, or passport in your wallet or purse. b. Remove your name from the marking lists of the three credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian). This will limit the number of pre-approved offers of credit that you receive. When these are just tossed into the garbage they become a potential target for identity thieves. • Call 888-5OPTOUT • www.optoutprescreen.com. You have the option for a 5-year opt out or a permanent opt-out. c. Sign up for the FTC National Do Not Call Registry. • www.donotcall.gov. You have the option of registering both your home and cell phone numbers. d. When ordering new checks, pick them up at the bank. e. When you pay your bills, do not leave the envelopes containing the checks at your mailbox. A flag being up is a red-alert for thieves. Mail your bills at the post office. 2. Credit cards—reduce the number that you actively use to a minimum a. Cancel unused accounts • Even though you don’t use them, their account numbers are still on your credit report. b. Keep your credit card statement copies in a safe place. 3. Know your credit report a. Order your credit report at least once a year. • Credit reports can be obtained for free once a year through several websites, the most popular being www.freecreditreport.com. • You do not have to be an identity theft victim to place a fraud alert on your account. The fraud alert just requires creditors to contact you before they issue you credit. 4. Passwords and Pins a. When creating passwords/pins, do not use the last four digits of your SSN, last name, birth date, pets name, anything that would be easy to guess. b. Memorize your passwords/pins. Do not write them on anything. c. Shield your hand when using a bank ATM machine. Shoulder surfers may be nearby with binoculars or a video camera watching you. 5. Social Security ...