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Identity Theft Exploding: Here's How you can Avoid Becoming a Victim - 
Plus, Tips if you do Become a Victim
by Steven Presar ©Copyright 2004

Americans are more concerned about identity theft than 
unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey of 
2,000 people conducted by Star Systems.  

Nine out of ten Americans demand new federal legislation, while 
two-thirds say the financial services industry needs to do a 
better job of verifying the identity of customers who open bank 
accounts (66 percent) and credit card accounts (72 percent).  

Some 5.6 percent of respondents reported being victims of 
identity theft, which translates to 12 million people. When 
debit and credit card fraud and identity theft were combined, 
close to 15.9 percent of consumers say they have been the victim 
of one of these crimes. (Source: Star Systems, 2003)  

For most of us, using a debit or credit card to make a purchase 
has become an every day aspect of life. Many of us do it every 
day and feel safe in doing so.  

But it is far from safe. People with your debit or credit card 
information may make purchases with your card information over 
the telephone, via the Internet, or at a local retail store. 

As we moved to a cashless system of transactions by debit or 
credit card, a relatively simple crime niche has grown - 
identity theft and fraud.  

Some law enforcement authorities are not pursuing the crime in 
a coordinated and cooperative fashion. Thus, a situation has 
grown that affords the people who perpetrate such acts of theft 
and fraud, to act with a degree of confidence that they will not 
get caught. 

What can you do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of 
identity theft or fraud? 

Here is a list of actions that you can take to avoid becoming 
a victim of identity crimes. 

1. Never throw receipts or statements away that have personal 
information on them. The trash is the greatest repository of 
information for the identity thief. Even better, shred everything 
that has identifying information on it (transaction receipts, 
etc.). 

2. Pay to have an unlisted telephone number in your local 
telephone directory. 

3. Take as much identification off of your personal checks and 
driver's license as possible. Thus, no home addresses, phone 
numbers, or social security numbers on personal checks. Use only 
your last name and first initial rather than your full name. You 
want a retail clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a 
check.  

Most states now provide a photo ID on all new automobile drivers 
licenses issued. If you do not have one, consider getting your 
licenses renewed now to get a photo ID for identification 
purposes. Do not put your social security number on your 
driver's license. 

4. Check your bank accounts for suspicious activity everyday, 
this can be done online via the Internet. 

5. Have your middle initial removed from all public 
documentation if possible. Middle initials help identity 
thieves narrow down their searches for victims. 

6. If someone calls you asking for your personal information 
on the telephone - do not provide any personal information 
to anyone over the phone. 

7. Don't leave your mail out overnight. If you will be away 
from home for any period of time, have your home mail delivery 
stopped. If possible, secure a locked mail box at your local 
post office or a retail store mail box service for your home 
mail delivery.  

If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper delivery 
stopped and arrange to have your yard maintained. Include the 
post office, newspaper service, and your friends or neighbors 
to insure that your home looks as if it is occupied while you 
are gone.  

For additional information on home security visit - 
www.ProtectionConnect.com/homesecuritychecklist.html
or www.ProtectionConnect.com/sitemap.html#home. 

8. Write "Check ID" on the back of your debit or credit cards 
next to your signature. That way, when a retail store checks 
the signature on your card, they can verify that the card is 
being used by the proper individual. 

9. Be aware of people standing too close to you and "shoulder 
surfing" you while you conduct your ATM transactions. 

If you do become a victim of an identity crime - do the 
following: 

1. Demand to file a police report no matter how unwilling the 
law enforcement office may be. Make sure to get a copy or at 
least the report number. 

2. In the case of card fraud, make sure to cancel your card and 
report it as stolen to your credit card company as soon as you 
find out.  

Immediately fill out affidavits with the appropriate financial 
institution denying that you were the one who made the relevant 
purchases. In most cases, the banks will respond with up to a 
30-day process that requires the businesses that accepted the 
fraudulent transactions to repay the banks. 

3. Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus: 

~ TransUnion, Post Office Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022

~ Equifax, Equifax Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc., 
Post Office Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374 1.888.766.0008  

~ Experian Consumer Information, Post Office Box 1909, 
Orange, CA 92865 

4. The U.S. Secret Service handles fraud cases that cross state 
borders. If you know that your case applies, contact their local 
office to make them aware of your case. If it is part of a 
broader fraud case, you may be contacted by an agent. 

5. You can also fill out a complaint form with the Federal Trade 
Commission, although this is strictly used to track national 
identity theft statistics.  

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Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology coach, 
Internet publisher, author, speaker, and trainer. He provides 
personal, home, and computer security solutions at 
www.ProtectionConnect.com. He provides business software reviews 
at www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he publishes 
articles for starting and running a small business at 
www.abcResults.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO newsletter.  
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