Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money and can destroy your credit and ruin your good name. Protecting your identity is a critical piece to protecting you, your family and your Country. Your security and your Country’s security are at risk when a bad guy gets hold of your identity.
COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS:
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including:
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Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
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Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
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Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
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Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form.
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"Old-Fashioned" Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information
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Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
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Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
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Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
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Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
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Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
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Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
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Be aware of Suspicious Activity
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements. Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
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Bills that do not arrive as expected
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Unexpected credit cards or account statements
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Denials of credit for no apparent reason
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Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
Identity Theft Statistics
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10 million Americans will be a victim of identity theft this year.
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26 Times More Likely To Be A Victim Of ID Theft Than A Violent Crime
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1,826 Times More Likely Than To Be Murdered
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21 Times More Likely Than To Have Your Home Burglarized
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2 Times More Likely Than Being In an Auto Accident
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13 Times More Likely Than Being Divorced
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19 percent of consumers report that financial information, including a bank or credit card number, has been misused.
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14 percent say they've had personal information such as a Social Security number or birth certificate taken.
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Identity theft prime targets are college graduates, those with annual household income of $75,000 or more, people residing in the West, and Americans between the age of 30 and 49.
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Identity theft hits 1 in 4 U.S. households
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Loss to businesses in the U.S. exceeds $50 billion annually due to identity theft
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On average, identity theft victims spend 175 hours of their personal time and $800 to clear their names
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On average it takes victims 14-16 months to clear their name
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One in six Americans (17 percent) say they’ve had financial information stolen (bank or credit card number)
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Three in four consumers (75 percent) agree that they would take more steps to avoid being a victim of identity theft if they knew what to do.
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Four in ten consumers (43 percent) think it is unlikely they will be victims of identity theft.
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One in three consumers (33 percent) think there is nothing they can really do to prevent identity theft.