Personal Information Security

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation, accounting for 43 percent of all complaints received by the Federal Trade Commission in 2002. The FTC also reported that it received 161,800 complaints of identity theft-up 88 percent from 86,200 the year before. Many believe that this is just a small fraction of the total number of victims. In 2002, Star Systems conducted a telephone survey that they believe indicates that as many as one in 20 adults, or 11.8 million Americans, have been victims of identity theft.

According to a May 2000 survey by CalPIRG and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, the average consumer victim spends 175 hours and $800 resolving identity theft problems, and it takes two to four years for victims to clear up all the resulting problems. The sooner you take action to clear your records, the better. That's why it's important to order your credit reports regularly, at least once a year.

The information offered here is intended to help consumers take steps to reduce their risk of becoming victims of identity theft and to help victims take the actions necessary to resolve problems and recover their good names.

Criminals can use your personal information to gain services, create fraudulent credit accounts, and to obtain false identification. The following are items that you should never give out to strangers:

• Credit card numbers or expiration dates, unless you know the company is reputable.
• Checking account number or ATM personal identification number
• Telephone calling card number.
• Social security number; only give this out if it is legally required.
• Driver’s License number.
• Health information, such as insurance, medical and mental history and doctor.
• Information about your home security system, such as whether you have one or not, or your code.
• Information about those who live with you and whether you live alone
• Your age or age category.
• Financial information, such as your annual income, mortgage, or financial institution.

Even when giving this information to a well-known business or institution, you should keep a log of the date and time, and circumstances under which you gave the information.

If you become a victim:
It is important to act immediately to stop the thief’s further use of your identity by reporting the crime to the police immediately. Give them as

much documented evidence as possible. Get a copy of your police report. Credit card companies, your bank, and the insurance company may require you to show the report in order to verify the crime. Immediately
call all your credit card issuers. Obtain replacement cards with new account numbers.

Call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies—Experian (formerly TRW), Equifax and Trans Union. Report the theft of your credit cards or numbers. Ask that your accounts be flagged. Also, add a victim’s statement to your report. Be sure to ask how long the fraud alert is posted on your account, and how you can extend it if necessary. Notify your bank(s) of the theft. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. Ask the bank to issue you a secret password that must be used in every transaction. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of.

In addition you can add yourself to the Identity Theft Registry. Identity theft victims can contact the Department of Justice for information about inclusion to the department’s Identity Theft Registry. This Registry assists victims who are wrongfully identified as criminals due to the illegitimate use of their identities by identity thieves. Basic registration requires the submission of an application along with fingerprints and court verification. Once registered, any inquiries about you to the criminal history system will return a reply that you are a victim of identity theft. You may also have the Department of Justice notify certain individuals and agencies that you designate to inform them that you’re an identity theft victim.

For registration information and questions,
call (888) 880-0240 toll free or (916) 227-3244.

You can also visit the DOJ web site:
http://www.ag.ca.gov/idtheft/general.htm

Or the Federal Trade Commission web site:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

Office of Privacy Protection
http://www.privacy.ca.gov/

ATM Safety

• To increase your level of safety at automatic teller machines, follow these basic guidelines:
• Try to use the ATM during daylight hours.
• If you have to get cash at night, go with someone else and only use machines that are well lit and visible.
• Look for suspicious people or activity.
• If you notice anything out of the ordinary, even if you have started a transaction, cancel your transaction and leave.
• When entering your secret code, use your body as a shield.
• Always take your transaction receipts and statements.
• Do not count or display money at the ATM.
• Do not accept offers of help from anyone you don’t know.
• When you use a drive-up ATM make sure your passenger windows are closed and the entire vehicle’s doors are locked.
• Do not give your secret code to anyone, including anyone posing as a police investigator or bank official.

https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.

http://onguardonline.gov/index.html
OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.

https://www.optoutprescreen.com
What is Opt-In?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion, are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm (preapproved / prescreened) offers of credit or insurance. If you have previously completed a request to Opt-Out from receiving firm offers, you must complete a request to Opt-In to begin receiving offers again. You do not need to complete a request to Opt-In if you have not previously submitted an Opt-Out request.

http://www.staysafe.org/
The Internet has changed the way you do almost everything-from shopping to staying informed to keeping in touch with friends and family-but the online world, just like the real one, has its share of nuisances and hazards.

Many of the experiences that make the Internet so valuable in your daily life can also expose you to risks such as online fraud or identity theft-unless you're careful. Protecting yourself online means learning to reduce or eliminate nuisances and to guard against more serious problems.

Return to the Personal Safety Education Page