Protecting Your Identity: What to Know, What to Do

Protecting Your Identity: What to Know, What to Do

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What is identity theft? Identity theft: Someone steals your personal information Uses it without permission Can damage your finances, credit history and reputation

RCW 9.35.020 (1) No person may knowingly obtain, possess, use, or transfer a means of identification or financial information of another person, living or dead, with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any crime

How does identity theft happen? Any ideas?

How does identity theft happen? Identity thieves will: steal information from trash or from a business skimming credit card or debit card phishing changing you address stealing your wallet or purse pretexting hacking

Reduce Your Risk Identity protection means treating your personal information with care. Make it a habit. like buckling your seatbelt, or locking your doors at night

Reduce Your Risk Read your bank, credit and account statements. Look for charges you didn’t make. Be alert for bills that don’t arrive when you expect them. Follow up if you get account statements you don’t expect.

Reduce Your Risk Secure your Social Security Number. If someone asks for it, ask: – Why do you need it? – How will it be used? – How do you protect it?

Reduce Your Risk Respond quickly to notices from the Internal Revenue Service. If someone has used your Social Security number on a tax return, contact IRS’s Specialized Identity Theft Protection Unit – 1-800-908-4490

Reduce Your Risk Protect Your Personal Information. Keep your important papers secure. Be careful with your mail. Shred sensitive documents. Don’t overshare on social networking sites.

Reduce Your Risk Be alert to online impersonators. Do you know who is getting your personal information? Don’t click on links in emails. Contact customer service.

Reduce Your Risk Protect your computer. Use anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and a firewall. Create strong passwords. Keep your computer’s operating system, browser, and security up to date.

Reduce Your Risk Protect your computer. Encrypt your data. Be wise about Wi-Fi. Lock up your laptop. Read privacy policies

Reduce Your Risk Personal information Carry only ID and Credit/Debit cards you need Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at school and when outside the house.

What to do if someone has stolen your identity? Act fast to limit the damage. Take these steps immediately.

If your identity is stolen STEP 1: Place an initial fraud alert on your credit report. Contact any one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. Equifax 1‑800‑525‑6285 Experian 1‑888‑397‑3742 TransUnion 1‑800‑680‑7289

If your identity is stolen Step 2: Order your credit reports. Contact each of the three credit reporting companies. ID theft victims get a copy of their reports for free. Read your reports carefully and correct any errors.

If your identity is stolen Step 3: Create an Identity Theft Report. Gives you rights that help you to recover more quickly. File a complaint with the FTC. – Ftc.gov/complaint or 1-877-438-4338. – This will become your FTC Affidavit. File a police report.

Your FTC Affidavit and police report make an Identity Theft Report.

Contact the FTC File an identity theft complaint with the FTC: – ftc.gov/complaint – 1-877-ID-THEFT – 1-877-438-4338 Learn more about identity theft: – ftc.gov/idtheft Order free materials: – bulkorder.ftc.gov

If your identity is stolen Step 4: Contact credit card companies. Contact issuers of any other cards that were affected Follow up all phone calls with letters and a copy of the complaint filed with the police.

Activity Possible Methods: steal information from trash or from a business skimming credit card or debit card phishing changing you address stealing your wallet or purse pretexting hacking

Activity Steps to take after you identity has been stolen: Step 1: Place an initial fraud alert on your credit report. Step 2: Create an Identity Theft Report. File with FTC Step 3: Contact police. Step 4: Contact credit card companies.