| Lock your doors, hide your money in the safe, | | | | 8. While creating passwords and PIN numbers, |
| hire security guards to protect your prized | | | | avoid using numbers from social security, birth |
| possessions, but what can you do if someone | | | | date, middle name or any kind of important |
| stole your identity? If something valuable is stolen, | | | | personal numbers; these are said to be easy for |
| you can call the police and hope to get your | | | | criminals to figure out. |
| stolen property back. Rightly termed as the crime | | | | 9. Cross check that financial institutions are |
| of the 21st century, victimizing millions of | | | | safeguarding your important data. Insist on the |
| Americans, you can do very little if you find your | | | | removal of account numbers from ATM slips; also |
| identity stolen. Identity theft is on the rise, and | | | | ask them to shred the paper reports before |
| nearly everyone is vulnerable to this new-age | | | | throwing them away. |
| form of fraud. | | | | After the Theft |
| How is it done? | | | | 1. The moment you feel that there has been an |
| Using all possible methods, criminals steal credit | | | | identity theft, it is important to report the crime |
| card numbers, social security numbers, telephone | | | | to the police. Provide all the requisite documented |
| calling cards, ATM cards and other key pieces of | | | | evidence. Even if the police refuse to give the |
| an individual's identities. The information on these is | | | | report, be persistent and demand it. Keep the |
| used to impersonate the victim, by spending | | | | police report for the bank and credit card |
| maximum money in the shortest time they can. | | | | company's reference. |
| Preventive steps or Precautions | | | | 2. Inform the banks, cancel all the savings and |
| 1. Avoid carrying valuable documents and cards | | | | checking accounts and get new account numbers. |
| with you whenever you go out, unless it's | | | | 3. Call the 3 credit reporting companies and ask |
| absolutely necessary. | | | | them to flag the accounts. Ask for a fraud alert |
| 2. Opt for the Direct Marketing Associations Mail | | | | to be attached to the report and extend it later if |
| Preference Service and the Telephone Preference | | | | you want to. This fraud alert lets creditors |
| Service. By doing this, your name is added to the | | | | contact you whenever there is an attempt to |
| computerized name deletion lists used by | | | | open an account in your name. |
| marketers all over the nation. | | | | 4. File an ID theft affidavit with the Federal Trade |
| 3. Pick the newly ordered checks from the bank | | | | Commission after reporting the theft. This |
| and do not allow them to be sent to your | | | | affidavit can be sent to credit bureaus and |
| residential address. | | | | institutions to close fraudulent debts and accounts |
| 4. To keep the mailing system secure, install a | | | | opened in your name. |
| locked mailbox at your residence. | | | | 5. Lastly, do not blame yourself for the theft, you |
| 5. Post mail bills and other sensitive items at the | | | | being the victim should not feel guilty for the |
| post office instead of the neighborhood drop | | | | theft, and instead handle the situation calmly. |
| boxes. Sometimes the envelopes containing the | | | | Do not let all the reputation and respect you have |
| address could land in the wrong hands and be | | | | earned be trifled with by a petty thief. It is |
| altered. | | | | sometimes observed that people you know are |
| 6. Do not give out information over the phone | | | | the ones who sabotage your identity by using it |
| unless it is an individual belonging to a trusted | | | | against you. Be on the safe side and avoid |
| company. Lottery and 'lucky dip' calls should not | | | | disclosing any personal information to anyone. The |
| be entertained, as they are usually hoax. | | | | identity you have been given is yours to have; no |
| 7. Release Social Security Numbers (SSN) only if it | | | | other person has the right to take it from you. |
| is necessary. | | | | |