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Hancock |
Identity
Theft
By Hancock
Police Officer Mark S. Wattendorf, D.C.J.
Identity theft is
whenever some one uses your personal information such as your social security
number, credit card or drivers license numbers to make purchases or open
accounts. It is a crime that is on the rise, it is estimated by one government
agency the Government Accounting Office that over 750,000 Americans were
victims of this crime.
Identity Fraud RSA
628:26 is a Class A Felony in this state.
The hardest thing about having your identity stolen is clearing out the illegal
activities from your credit report. It really is far easier to keep it from happening
in the first place.
I have some simple steps you should take to protect your identity.
Be careful with your checks never have your social security number printed on
them, or your drivers license numbers. Put your work phone number instead of
your home phone number. If you have a PO Box # use that instead of your home
address.
Be careful with your credit cards, when you pay your credit cards don't put the
full account number on the check; put just the last four digits. This prevents
anyone who has access to your check as it is being processed from obtaining
your account number. You should keep your receipts and check your statement
against them. When you get a new credit card in the mail sign it immediately.
When you mail your credit card payments put them into a U.S. Postal Mail box,
don't leave them in your home mailbox for your letter carrier.
Be careful with what's in your wallet and minimize the amount of Identification
cards and credit cards that you carry with you to what you actually need. If
you have credit cards that you never use leave them at home, or better yet
cancel them. Never carry your social security card or birth certificate except
if it is absolutely necessary. Memorize your ATM (Automatic Teller Machine)
card and credit card PIN (Personal Identification Numbers) and never carry this
information with you.
Careful with the Internet, don't transmit credit card numbers or account
information to any Web site that does not offer a secure data transaction. Look
for an Icon of a lock at the bottom of your Browser (internet explorer). Never
give out your personal information unless you initiated the transaction and you
trust the person. Never E-mail your credit card number or your social security
number.
Always be careful with your records, invest in a good paper shredder and use it
often. Any information with your account numbers should go through the
shredder. This also applies to all those credit card offers you get in the
mail, if you don't shred them then at least tear them up.
If you have been a
victim of identity theft:
The Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) has a terrific web site that leads victims of identity theft through
steps designed to minimize the damage when someone hijacks your identity.
Although each set of circumstances may differ, the FTC recommends all ID theft
victims follow these four basic first steps:
- Credit reports: Place a fraud alert on your reports
and review them. Prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
Check your records for activity you didn't initiate.
- Immediately close accounts that have been tampered
with, including credit cards and checking accounts.
- Contact the police and file a report. Be sure to
retain a copy. You may be referred to another jurisdiction, depending on
where the theft took place.
- File a notice with the FTC, which tracks identity
theft.
The FTC's web site offers
a wealth of information to those who've had their identities falsely
appropriated, with everything from the major credit reporting agencies'
telephone numbers to a handy checklist to help you take the right steps to
minimize the damage. You can find it here: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/.
Febraury2005
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