Credit Cards: How to protect yourself from identity theft
Here are quick facts on identity theft:
According to a September 2003 Federal Trade Commission survey, identity theft is
the fastest growing crime in America.
- Almost 10 million Americans were victimized last year.
- This represents an increase of 41% over 2002.
- The cost to the U.S. economy in 2003 was nearly $53 billion.
- The average theft per victim is $17,000.
- Identity theft can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, economic
status, or race.
Stealing wallets and purses was once the most common way of obtaining Social
Security numbers (SSNs), driver's licenses, credit card numbers, and other
identifying information. Today, identity thieves target virtually every area of
an individual's life - wherever personal information is stored or sent.
Common Scams:
"Publishing." Posing as trusted companies, "publishers" send fake e-mails to
unsuspecting customers, telling them they must "update" or "validate" their
billing information to keep their accounts active. Victims are directed to a
phony Web site with a convincing address, familiar typeface, and stolen
corporate logos.
Dumpster diving. Searching through trash bins for credit card statements,
loan applications, and other documents containing names, addresses, account
information, and Social Security numbers.
Stealing mail. Thieves go through unlocked mailboxes to get pre-approved
credit offers and newly issued credit cards, utility bills, bank and credit card
statements, investment reports, insurance statements, benefits documents, and
tax information.
7 Things You Can Do to Help Protect Your Identity
By managing your personal information carefully and sensibly, you can help guard
against identity theft. Here are some simple precautions that can help keep your
information safe:
- Disclose your Social Security number only when it is absolutely necessary.
Don't have your Social Security number printed on your checks and don't permit
your Social Security or credit card numbers to be handwritten on your checks.
- Thieves can easily pose as legitimate businesses. Never give out your SSN,
credit card number, or other personal information over the phone unless you
have a trusted business relationship with the company.
- When creating passwords and PIN s, do not use the last four digits of your
Social Security number, your mother's maiden name, your birth date, your
middle name, your pet's name, consecutive numbers, or anything else that could
easily be discovered or guessed by thieves.
- When shopping, always take credit card receipts with you; never toss them
in a public trash container.
- Return calls from Providian's Fraud Department promptly. They may have
detected suspicious activity on your account that could mean someone has
stolen your identity.
- Do not carry extra credit cards, your Social Security card, birth
certificate, or passport with you unless necessary.
- Make photocopies of credit cards, bank account numbers, and investment
account numbers and keep them in a SAFE place. Also, keep a list of phone
numbers for customer service and fraud departments, so you can contact them
quickly in case of theft or fraud.
Related Article:
What to Do if Your
Identity is Stolen
Table of Contents:
-
How to establish
credit
-
Types of Credit Card Accounts
-
Precautions for Choosing or
Using a Credit Card
-
When You Receive Your Card
- Your Rights and Protections
-
What is a Credit Report (and How Do I Get Mine)?
-
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
-
Unauthorized Use of Your Account: (What to Do if Your Identity
is Stolen)
-
Help and Resources
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