Transcript Identity Theft - Arizona Crime Prevention Association

Citizen & Neighborhood
Resources Department
City of Scottsdale, Arizona
The Problem
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The victimization rate makes this one of the
most frequent crimes occurring in the USA.
Victims typically lose $0 because of laws that
limit credit card loss to $50 and debit cards to
$500. For those who do loose, the average in
2005 was $422.
Spend 40+ hours clearing
their name.
2007 Survey
• The National Crime Prevention Council
released a survey in February, 2007. It
indicated that Identity Theft was the crime
most people feared.
• Even though people feared ID Theft, few
people where taking any steps to prevent it.
Is this a Problem in Arizona?
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Is this a Problem in Scottsdale?
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Who are the Victims?
What is ID Theft?
• Someone using your sensitive
information to commit fraud or theft.
• A.R.S. 13-2008 – Class 4 Felony
• “A person commits taking the identity of
another person if the person knowingly takes,
uses, possesses, purchases, manufactures, or
records any personal identification of another
person, without the consent of that person,
with the intent to obtain or use the other
person’s identity for unlawful purpose…”
What is Aggravated ID Theft?
• A.R.S. 13-2009: Aggravated Identity Theft
makes ID theft acts a class 3 felony.
– 5 or more victims (possession of information
from 5 people for an unlawful purpose).
– Dollar loss exceeds $3,000.
• ARS 13-2010: Trafficking in identities is a
class 2 felony.
Drugs & ID Theft
• “Meth is the gas that fuels Identity Theft”
AnnieLaurie Van Wie, Deputy County
Attorney, Maricopa County Attorney’s
Office, Arizona
• Crimes that are associated with ID Theft
include: forgery, fraud, burglary, computer
tampering, trafficking, drug sales and use.
How does this occur?
Thieves get your personal information
(name, DOB, SS# or address):
• Steal records from employers
• Hack into computers or steal
servers
• Dumpster diving
• Steal wallets and purses
• Steal mail
• Skimming credit cards
How does Skimming occur?
• ATM Card Skimming
How does this occur?
• ATM Capturing PIN numbers
What do they do with this
Information?
• Go on spending spree using your credit and debit
cards.
• Open new credit card and checking accounts
using your name, birth date, SSN. The delinquent
notices show up on your credit reports.
• Create fake ID’s with your
information.
• Change mailing address on
your accounts.
• Take out loans in your name.
What happens to the Victim?
• 12% (1 in 8) get a wrongful criminal
record
• Can’t get credit, higher mortgage rates
• Higher cost of insurance
• 40+ hours to clear their name
Consequences For Everyone
• ID Theft supports drug use and the drug
trade
• Promotes illegal immigration and people
trafficking
• Used for money laundering
• Funding for terrorists
How can I tell if I am a Victim?
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Routine check of your credit report.
Failing to receive bills or other mail.
Receiving credit cards that you did not apply for.
Receiving notices and calls from collection
agencies for merchandise you did not buy.
• Denial of credit.
• Receive calls from credit card
issuers asking if you made
uncharacteristic purchases.
What do I do Now as a Victim?
• Contact your bank and close the accounts or
changing account numbers, advising them of the
fraud.
• Contact one of the 3 major credit bureaus to place
a 90 day fraud alert then send letter to put a 7 year
fraud alert on your file.
• Order copies of your credit reports.
What do I do Now as a Victim?
• Use the ID theft affidavit from the FTC or
acquire them from your bank.
• Ask the bank to notify the check verification
services. You may notify them as well.
• File a report with the local Police Department.
• File a complaint with FTC.
How Can I Protect Myself?
• Create passwords for credit cards, bank and
phone accounts.
• Don’t use your mother’s maiden name, birth date,
last 4 digits of SSN, phone # or a pet’s name for
passwords.
• Secure personal information in your home.
• Don’t use SSN for Driver’s
License #
How Can I Protect Myself?
• Shred all documents containing your
information.
• Drop outgoing mail in a USPS box, not
your home box.
• Limit the number of credit cards you
carry. Don’t carry your SS card unless
you have to.
• Ask if companies use encrypted servers
for your personal information that they
store (e.g. mortgage companies).
How Can I Protect Myself?
• Regularly check your credit bureau report
• Don’t leave your wallet or purse in the car
• Request your PEBES (Personal Earning &
Benefits Estimate Statement) report from
the Social Security Administration
• Use the mail in a secure manner (only use
official mailboxes, pick up your mail
everyday)
How Can I Protect Myself?
• Put a copy of your registration in your car
that has your home address removed with
“white out”
• Request that ID Issuers use a number
OTHER THAN your SSN
• Check all bank and credit card statements
promptly
Changes to the Laws
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
(FACTA) of December, 2003 states:
• Consumers can get FREE CREDIT REPORTS from
EACH credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, Trans Union)
once a year (www.annualcreditreport.com - info on
handout).
• Mortgage lenders are required to provide credit scores to
applicants.
• All consumers can see their credit
score for a “fair and reasonable fee”
(currently $9)
Changes to the Laws
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)
of December, 2003 states:
• ID Theft victims need only notify one of the three credit
bureaus and they must notify the other two.
• After notification, a 90-day fraud alert must accompany
any credit report or credit score issued by all three
bureaus.
• You can extend the fraud alert for 7 years if you provide a
report from a law enforcement agency.
• Businesses where fraudulent accounts were opened have
to give the victim account information to help clear their
name. They must accept reports by the victim or the
credit bureau.
Protection on the Computer
• Maintain current virus protection software,
spyware and a firewall.
• Don’t download files from strangers.
• Use a secure browser – https – for financial
transactions and personal information.
• Don’t put any personal info on a
social networking website like
Myspace and Facebook.
Protection on the Computer
• Try to not to store financial records on your
laptop.
• Avoid automatic log-in features.
• Delete any personal info. Before disposing of PC.
• Don’t respond to supposed inquiries from your
bank, online service, or credit card processing
service.
Protection on the Computer
• Phishing - the on-line imitation of a company's
branding in spoofed e-mail messages and web sites,
created with the intent of fooling unsuspecting users into
divulging personal information such as passwords, credit
card numbers, PINs, etc.
• Vishing – Phishing done on VoIP (Voice over Internet
Protocol) phone systems.
• Pretexting – tricking victims into giving personal
information to be used in identity theft. Surveys are often
used as pretexting.
Don’t Let This Happen To You!
The Media Is Paying Attention
Resources
• Handouts are available with phone
numbers, and step by step procedures.
• Social Security Administration – ssa.gov
or 800-772-1213
• Federal Trade Commission – ftc.gov or
202-326-2222
• FBI/National White Collar Crime
Center – nw3c.org
Thank you for attending today!