| According to the FBI, Identity Theft is
one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. Identity
theft is a crime where someone wrongfully obtains and uses someone
else’s personal data. This stolen data is used to access existing
accounts, create new accounts, purchase merchandise and establish
services such as cell phones, cable, internet, etc.
Some of the information that can be stolen:
- Name Address
- Social Security Number
|
- Calling Card Number
- Credit Card Number
|
- Driver’s License Number
- ATM Card Number and PIN
|
 Identity Theft can happen to anyone, at anytime. The FTC
says that the average victim of identity theft is unaware
of the problem for 12 months. You don't want to let 12 months
go by before finding that you're a victim!!
If you suspect that someone has stolen your personal information
and is trying to set up new credit accounts in your name,
contact the Credit Bureau immediately www.fightidentitytheft.com/fraud_numbers.html to
put a “fraud alert” on your credit file.
For ways to avoid becoming the victim of identity theft,
check out the US Dept. of Justice website www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html.
Here are some other helpful websites:
Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Fight Identity Theft: www.fightidentitytheft.com
Identity Theft Recovery:
www.identity-threft-recovery.net
US Dept. of Education: www.ed.gov/offices/list/oig/misused/idtheft.html |
