Preventing Identity Theft
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-06-01 00:00:00-04:00
Session 3 - Further Reduce Your Risk
In Session Two you checked your wallet because you know how valuable your Social Security number can be to an identity thief. But your Social Security number is not the only piece of information a thief needs to piece together a new identity. Also, your wallet is not the only place thieves look.
In this Session, you will learn about how to protect your identity in your home, on the phone, on your computer, and while you are on the road. Identity thieves are opportunistic and will snatch information anywhere you might leave it.
Protect Yourself in Your Home
Fred T., whom you met in Session One, figured out that his identity had been stolen when workmen took his bank statements while they were in his home. It is sad but true that identity theft can happen in your home. It might be the maintenance man, a caregiver, neighbor, or even a relative. You need to have safe places in your home where you always put papers that contain your financial information.
In Session Two, you went through your wallet to remove those extra cards that you are not going to carry around with you any more. You have to be careful about what you do with those extra cards and all the other items that has your personal information. Don't just leave them scattered in your home or throw them in the trash.
Which of these is a safe place in your home to store cards you aren't carrying and all the pieces of paper that have personal information about you?
Did you choose one of the last two?
It's handy but risky to put credit cards, paper, or mail right inside the front door. It is good practice to store your mail, bank statements, and other papers someplace where they are out of sight and out of reach of anyone who might be in your home. You never know when a repairman might show up or a stranger talk their way into your house and get personal information about you. That's what happened to Fred.
So, you've secured your papers in your home. You've found a safe place to put your mail. Don't forget to pay attention to what you do with the letters and bills you are ready to mail. The envelope with your credit card payment will have your credit card account number, your bank account number, your signature, name and address, at a minimum. With all those pieces of information about you in together in one place, that envelope can be tempting to a thief.
Change that old habit of clipping mail to your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up, like Sue G. from the first session did. A thief could get there first. The raised red flag on the mail box not only signals the mail carrier that mail is inside; it also signals the thief.
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Protect Yourself on the Phone
When the phone rings, be on the alert and never give out personal information. A common technique that identity thieves use is to try to trick you into revealing your bank account number, credit card number, or Social Security number. They pretend they are making an official call. The line might go like this. "Hi, Mrs. Smith, I'm calling from the security department of your bank and we have had a problem with our computers. We need to you verify your bank account number. Please read me the numbers on the bottom of the check." Or they might say they are from your credit card company. They could say they are investigating a possible fraudulent charge to your account. They say they want you to verify the security code printed on the magnetic strip on the back of your card.
No matter how convincing, sincere, or urgent they may sound, these callers are up to no good. Thieves don't need to have physical possession of your checks or credit cards to steal. They can access your accounts with just the numbers. Your bank or credit card company will NEVER call you to ask for personal information or to verify any account numbers.
Identity thieves may also call to say, "You have won a prize. We will deposit your winnings directly to your bank account. What is your account number?" They want you to be so excited about getting the money that you give your personal information. If you get a call like this, it is a scam. Do not give out personal information or send any money to "claim your prize."
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You will probably have to give your Social Security number to your employer and financial institutions for wage and tax reporting reasons. You will need it when you apply for a driver's license or passport or when you purchase U.S. Savings Bonds. Businesses will ask for it if they are going to run a credit check on you. Other times, they just want it for general record-keeping purposes. If the business—including your doctor's office—just wants to use your SSN for their record keeping, request that they use a substitute number.
Think twice before you give your Social Security number out or put it on a form! Ask these questions before giving your number to anyone.
- Why do you need my number?
- What law requires its use?
- How it will be used?
- What will happen if I refuse?
Based on the answers to those questions, you should decide if you want to share your number.
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Protect Yourself on Your Computer
Identity thieves use similar tricks on the computer. You may get an email that looks like it comes from an official source, like your bank, credit card company, online auction, or even a government agency. The email claims there is some urgent reason why you need to go to a Web address. That Web address probably looks official, too. Once at this Web address, you will be asked for personal information. Ms. Romano, the first person you met in the course, fell prey to this scam, called "phishing."
It's called phishing because the thieves are fishing for any personal information they can find. The IRS warns of a phishing scam in which thousands of persons got emails that their income tax return was going to be audited unless the person linked to a Web page that asked for bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, employers, income and much more.
Have you ever gotten a call asking you to verify a bank account or credit card account?
If you get such a call, what will you do?
What will you do if you get an email directing you to go to a Web site that asks for your personal information?
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What other ways can you think of to protect your personal information while on the Web?
One way is to look for the "s" following the "http" in any Web address where you send personal information. The "https" indicates that your information will be encrypted, making it harder for a thief to capture your information.
Also, be careful with your personal information when you go to internet chat rooms, class reunion or genealogy sites. It's good to stay in touch. But remember someone other than a classmate may be mining these sites for golden information-your identity.
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Protect Yourself on the Road
When you are away from home, you also need to be careful to protect your personal information.
It is not hard to listen to others' cell phone conversations. Some of those who listen are identity thieves. Say you are in another city. Your work day is finished. You decide to order theater tickets, using your cell phone while you're standing at the bus stop. Someone could easily be listening! So don't give out your credit card number where anyone could hear.
Someone may be watching as you use your long distance calling card or getting money out of the ATM. Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder. This is called shoulder surfing.
Shred It
Another way identity thieves try to get other people's personal information is what we call "dumpster diving." Detectives report that identity thieves obtain Social Security numbers, credit account numbers, and banking and investment account numbers by digging through trash bins outside of homes and businesses. By going through trash cans in your apartment basement or in front of your home, they can find valuable bits of information. They use these information bits to connect the dots about your identity.
Remember Mary W. in the first session? She was cleaning out her deceased husband's old files. Thieves probably went through her trash to get enough information to apply for a new credit card at the electronic store.
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Which of these can you safely put in the trash?
Credit cards you are no longer using
Bank statements
Cancelled checks
Banana peel
Letters from companies offering new credit
Telephone calling card
Empty milk carton
Credit card statement
Any paper with your Social Security number
We hope you only chose "banana peel" and "empty milk carton."
One type of mail that you want to be sure doesn't get into the hands of a thief is a "pre-approved" credit offer or unsolicited application for a loan, insurance or credit card. Don't think that is junk mail and just discard it. A thief would jump at the chance to use that application to get the credit offered to you. Shred it!
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If you don't already have one, purchase a cross-cut shredder and use it. You ask, "What's the difference between shredders?" Strip or straight-cut shredders slice the paper into long, thin strips from 1/8 to 1/2 inch wide. Narrower strips provide better security. Because the strips don't compress well, you'll need a larger basket (or more frequent emptying).
Cross-cut shredders provide more security by cutting paper vertically and horizontally into small pieces. The shredded paper compresses better so the basket holds more cut paper. The trade-off is these shredders may require more maintenance and cost more. With patience, someone could reconstruct any shredded document. Cross-cut shredders just make the thief's job a lot more tedious.
Or tear up your papers so that your name is separate from the address or other bits of information. One AARP member tells us he puts half of the pieces in one trash can, the other half in another and empties each trash can on a different day. Use scissors to cut up any plastic cards.
Identity Safety Checklist
I have a secure place where I put all papers, mail, or other documents that contain personal information.
I never give out personal information over the telephone if I have not initiated the call.
I deposit out-going mail in an official, secure mail box.
I know that a legitimate bank or credit card company will not ask me to verify account information.
I am alert to phishing scams and will not respond to tricks to reveal personal information.
I make sure any Web address I am using to send personal financial information starts with "https://"
I am careful about revealing my personal information when I go to chat rooms or other Web sites.
I use my cell phone where I cannot be overheard providing personal information.
I make sure no one is looking over my shoulder when at a pay phone or ATM machine.
I have and use a shredding machine.
I do not carry my Social Security card.
Can you think of other ways to guard your personal information?
You now have a list of things you can do to reduce the risk that someone will steal your identity. It may seem like a long list and a lot of bother. The reason the list is so long is because identity theft can happen so many different ways.
To outsmart the thieves, we have to be careful wherever we are. We don't want to make it easy for the thieves to put this bit of information that they got from here with that bit of information from there. It's hard to know which pieces of personal information they want. It might be your Social Security number and your mother's maiden name. Or your bank account number and credit card security code. Your driver's license alone or your ATM PIN. Thieves can put together various pieces of information to impersonate you. Bits of information about you are their tools. The more you can prevent them from getting such tools, the safer you'll be.
With this list, you will be more vigilant. Now you are alert to ways to keeping the tools the thief needs out of his grasp.
In Session 4, you will learn more ways to protect yourself from identity theft. We will help you recognize early warning signs if something is going wrong with your identity. You will also learn what you need to do if your identity has been stolen.
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