| Sometimes I long for the days of old, the days | | | | potential identity theft by closely guarding their |
| when we could trust the people we deal with and | | | | personal data. For example, never give out your |
| never question their integrity. Unfortunately, if we | | | | Social Security number over the phone unless you |
| choose to use the internet consistently, we must | | | | know the company you are dealing with and have |
| be prepared to be extremely careful when we | | | | initiated the call. |
| deal with anyone. When it comes to protecting | | | | Similarly, if your mother's maiden name is not |
| our credit, we must be even more careful than | | | | likely to be a secure password, consider changing |
| ever. | | | | it to something a little more difficult for a thief to |
| In this age of information, credit fraud is not a | | | | obtain. Also, carry only the cards you are actually |
| difficult crime to perpetrate. The idea that a thief | | | | going to use, and leave official documents like |
| could gain access to your account information or | | | | Social Security cards, passports and birth |
| personal data is not as implausible as you might | | | | certificates at home or in a safety deposit box. |
| think--social security number misuse has increased | | | | Account Takeover Fraud |
| over the last two years, resulting in a variety of | | | | Credit card account statements contain a lot of |
| credit-related crimes. | | | | sensitive information that you don't want thieves |
| Fortunately, you can fight back against credit | | | | to get a hold of, and even store receipts will |
| fraud by learning how credit fraud and identity | | | | frequently have your credit card number printed |
| theft occur, and by actively monitoring your credit | | | | on them. Sometimes an account number is all a |
| report for unauthorized account use on a regular | | | | thief needs to make charges and obtain cash |
| basis. Your credit report will list any new activity | | | | advances. It's a good idea to shred all financial |
| on accounts you haven't been using, as well as | | | | documents before discarding them. |
| new accounts that you did not open. | | | | A thief in possession of sensitive information |
| One of the best ways to keep track of new | | | | about you may also be able to go one step |
| information that is added to your credit report is | | | | further, and commit account takeover fraud, |
| the CreditCheck Monitoring Service, which | | | | simply by calling your creditor, reading off your |
| provides Online Monthly Monitoring Alerts to | | | | account number, a partial Social Security number |
| inform you of new derogatory information, recent | | | | and your mother's maiden name, and asking them |
| inquiries into your credit, and several indicators of | | | | to change the mailing address on the account. For |
| possible credit fraud. | | | | this reason, if you don't receive a credit card |
| To have credit report information at your | | | | statement on time, you should call your creditor |
| fingertips is the best way to shut an identity thief | | | | immediately to verify that the address has not |
| down--you can begin the process of notifying | | | | been changed. |
| your creditors of the fraud, changing your | | | | Pre-Approved Credit Offers |
| passwords, and closing down fraudulent accounts | | | | Another source of potential credit fraud is |
| before they wind up in the hands of collectors | | | | pre-approved credit offers. A thief who intercepts |
| and compromise your good credit. | | | | one may fill out the application and change the |
| How Credit Fraud and Identity Theft Occur | | | | address to obtain a credit card in your name for |
| Specific personal data, such as your Social | | | | which you will never receive a statement. (To |
| Security number, home address and mother's | | | | combat this, some creditors will not issue a card |
| maiden name, can be all a thief needs to obtain a | | | | to a new address on a pre-approved offer |
| fraudulent driver's license, take over existing bank | | | | certificate, but this policy isn't universal.) This |
| or credit accounts, divert card statements to a | | | | makes checking your credit report especially |
| different address, or even apply for new credit | | | | important, because it will show you if there are |
| card accounts under your name. Thieves can | | | | accounts being reported in your name of which |
| obtain this information in variety of ways, including | | | | you are not aware. |
| fishing through trash for account statements, | | | | The thief may even make the minimum |
| lifting cards from lost or stolen purses, wallets and | | | | payments for a while, until such time as the card |
| briefcases, or through telephone or Internet | | | | is maxed out. Then the account would eventually |
| scams. | | | | be turned over for collections--in your name, and |
| How to Prevent Credit Fraud and Identity Theft | | | | listed on your credit report. |
| Customers may be in a position to prevent | | | | |