CHIEF’S CORNER 10/5/05
We would like to help educate our community about the fastest growing crime in the United States, IDENTITY THEFT. It is a problem though out the country and our campus community is not immune to the threat. Simply stated identity theft is the theft or misuse of personal or financial identifiers in order to gain something of value or to impersonate you to facilitate some other criminal activity. Last year 10 million people were victims of some form of identity theft; 42% were victims of credit card fraud; 22% were victims of utility fraud; 17% were victims of bank fraud; 9% were victims of employment fraud and many experienced more than one fraud. Victims usually become aware of the crime after they receive a fraudulent bill, receive a fraudulent account statement, get turned down for credit cards or loans, or check their credit report. Most cases are usually multi-jurisdictional with the point of compromise (where the ID theft occurred) difficult to ascertain.
HOW DOES THE THEFT OCCUR?
Although there are more ways for this crime to occur than can be listed here, generally an identity thief will contact victims by phone, e-mail or in person posing as legitimate business people, charity workers, or law enforcement to gain your trust and request personal information. This could be in person, through the mail, internet or any other source available to them. They may get information from your trash, mailbox or as a result of a more obvious crime such as a burglary. There are devices called “skimmers”, a handheld magnetic card reader that enables a person to extract and record financial identifiers that are used to “steal” the information from your credit, MAC, or debit card. These “skimmers” are readily available and commonly used in New Jersey at gas stations and restaurants, and can be attached to an ATM machine. The information obtained from these sources is then used to assume a false identity or use your credit to obtain services for the thief. Some of the information an identity thief will look for are:
• Name
• Date Of Birth
• Social Security Number
• Address & Phone Number
• Driver’s License Number
• Mother’s Maiden Name
• E-mail accounts/address
• Bank Account Numbers
• Credit Card Numbers
• Pin Numbers
• Passwords
• ATM & EFT Access Codes
HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?
As with any crime, some basic precautions help to prevent you from becoming a victim, especially a victim of an opportunistic criminal. What we mean is don’t make it easy for the “bad guys”. Some basic precautions are listed below:
1. Order a copy of your credit report every year. You are entitled to a free credit report from all three credit reporting agencies once a year. Be sure to use the one official web site for requesting free reports annualcreditreport.com or you can call 877-322-8228. The official site can also be accessed through the Federal Trade Commission's web site at http://ftc.gov/freereports which has a link to the correct web site.
2. Protect your mail.
– Shred discarded financial and personal papers including:
-- Pre-approved loan and credit applications
-- Carbon copies of credit card purchases
3. Stop pre approved credit offers and information sharing by:
– calling the Credit Reporting Industry at 888-567-8688 and “opting out”.
– calling the financial institutions you have accounts with and direct them not to sell or share your information with other institutions.
4. Make copies of your credit cards and store them in a safe place, and protect your wallet and credit cards.
5. Be aware of your surroundings when using ATM cards, pins, and passwords.
6. Review your account statements monthly.
7. Install virus protection on your computers and destroy discarded computer equipment.
8. Request passwords for your financial accounts.
9. “Keep your eye on the prize” - try not to let gas attendants and sales clerks disappear from view when they process your credit or debit card when you make a purchase.
10. Be aware of “skimming”, a handheld magnetic card reader that enables a person to extract and record financial identifiers. These skimming devices can be attached to an ATM, so ensure the ATM you use is in a reputable business.
11. Do not give out your personal or financial identifiers unless you know who you are giving them to and what they need them for.
12. Do not provide personal information on warranty or sweepstakes entries.
13. Don’t use or carry your social security number/card unless you absolutely have to.
14. Don’t use your mother’s maiden name, the last four digits of your social security number, or other commonly used passwords.
15. Don’t give your PIN or passwords to others
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM?
File a report with your campus or local police department where you reside. Obtain their case number. Most credit and financial institutions will require a police report. Provide the investigator with your proofs of fraud and assist in obtaining additional information if needed. Assist in identifying the point of compromise or where the original theft occurred. Contact the Federal Trade Commission, who is the official “Clearing House” for complaints of ID Theft. Obtain and fill out an “Identity Crimes Affidavit” which is available on their web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
In SUMMARY, protect your personal and financial identifiers; be aware of who has access to your information; review your credit reports yearly; destroy all discarded belongings containing personal or financial information and Remember: You might not be able to prevent all fraud, but you can certainly make it more difficult for the identity thief to make you his next victim.
There is additional information about identity theft on our web site at www.Stockton.edu/police on the training and education page. Also, we are always available to provide a training program on identity theft for any members of our community.