ID Theft

Windham Police Department

Identity Theft

Identity Theft is a white collar crime that has capturd the public's attention. Everyone is being affected by it. No one is safe from idenitity theft, not even the deceased! Besides its economic impact on victims, this crime has psychological effects as well (1). Everyone needs to be aware of ID Theft, how it occurrs, how to protect yourself and what to do if you become a victim.

Identity Theft creates havoc with an individual's personnel credit history. In fact, most individuals do not even discover that they have been a victim of ID Theft unitl they apply for a home, car, personal or other loan and it is denied because of a bad credit report.

For example, a Windham case involved a middle aged couple who were applying for a home equaty loan. The loan was denied because of a bad credit report. Two years later they are still trying to restore their credit history with various creditors.

For the most part, identity theft is a crime, which is carried out for financial gain and is the fastest growing White Collar Crime. The Federal Trade Commission has estimated that it costs an individual approximately $1000 or more to restore their credit worthiness after working many hours contacting various financial institutions. (2)

How does ID Theft occur? The criminals can obtain information from various forms of personal identification, such as using Social Security Number, Birth Certificate, StateID, Drivers License information, telephone, addresses and other information which is easily obtained from your mail, computer and public documents. They can then open a checking accounts to forge checks, savings accounts, make fraudualent credit and debit card transactions, obtain loans and make on-line purchases using the fraudulent accounts.

In the above Windham case the perpetrator was able to obtain a college loan and computer in the amount of $12,000 to attend a degree program in computer IT Technology. This loan was obtained by using various personal information and completing an application form.

ID Theft crimes are very difficult to investigate and prosecute because of the nature in which these crimes are committed. After all the perpetrator can commit many of these crimes from the safey of their home.

Here are some of the crimes identity thieves commit:

	They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
	They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account. Then, your imposter runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there's a problem.
	They establish cellular phone service in your name.
	They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.(3)

Although it's impossible to guarantee that your personal information will not get stolen the tips below (4) provide advice on steps you can take to reduce your chances of it happening to you.

*Identity Theft* *How to Protect Yourself*	Monitoring your credit card statements and your credit report are the most important steps you can take to safeguard your credit identity. Although there is a cost it is a good idea to review a copy of your credit report at least once a year by contacting the following credit bureaus: Equifax Consumer Fraud Assistance Dept. (800) 525-6285 TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Dept. (800) 680-7289 Experian Consumer Fraud Assistance Dept. (888) 397-3742)
Be very careful about to whom you give out personal identification information; such as your mother's maiden name and your Social Security Number, ask if it can be kept confidential. Inquire into how it will be used and with whom it will be shared.	Minimize the number of credit cards and other items with personal information printed on them that you carry. Cancel all inactive accounts. Even though you do not use them, those accounts appear on your credit report, which can be used by thieves.
Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Keep a list of all credit cards, account numbers, expiration dates, and the customer service phone numbers in a secure place so that you can quickly contact your creditors in case your cards are lost or stolen.	Do not leave envelopes containing your checks in your home mailbox, unless it's secured. Due to the increased risk of theft, it is best to mail bills and other sensitive items at the post office, rather than from your residence.
Tear Up/Destroy all ATM and bank receipts, old insurance forms, bank checks, expired credit cards, and any other papers that include personal information, identification, and account numbers about you. This includes pre-approved credit card solicitations! Thieves oftentimes search through your garbage to find these forms and information and use it to apply for credit in your name.	Social Security Number: Give it out only when necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible. DO NOT store your Social Security Card in your wallet.
When creating passwords or PINs, do not use the last four digits of your Social Security Number, your birth date, middle name, mother's maiden name, address or anything else that could be discovered easily by thieves.	To decrease the number of unsolicited credit card applications that you receive (and the chances of these applications being stolen), call (888) 5OPT-OUT to have your name removed from marketing lists sold by credit bureaus.

If you become a victim of Identity theft the Federal Trade Commission has and ID Theft Affidavit which simplifies the process of disputing fradualent charges. Therefore, instead of completing many many different forms, victims can now use the ID Theft Affidavit to alert companies when an account has been opened in their name.

Identity Theft Resources: Start here for help, there are many links on each site

US Postal Service: Tips and Information
http://www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect/idthft_ncpw.htm

                    Identity Theft is a Crime: Free tools, news, and information to help you detect identity theft.
                    http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/index.html

                    Coping With Identity Theft: What To Do When An Imposter Strikes
                    http://courses.cs.vt.edu/~cs3604/lib/Impact/Identity.Theft.html

                    Identity Theft Resources - Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
                    http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm

                    IdentityRestore.com: Resourses to aid in the restoration of your credit
                    http://www.identityrestore.com

Bibilography

1 Economic Crime Summit Registration Form, National White Collar Crime Center, May 5 - 8, 2002.

2 The Nation's Fastest Growing Crime: Identity Theft, by Sanford Wexler, Law Enforcement Technology
Magazine, April 2002.

3 Federal Trade Commission Website for ID Theft http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft

4 State of NY Office of the Attorney General
Website http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/tips/identity_theft.html

Identity Theft Resources: Start here for help, there are many links on each site

Home Administration Animal Control Anonymous Tips Community Services Community Safety Center Computer Crimes

Detectives Dispatch Employment Opportunities Guest Book Honor Guard Identity Theft Internet Fraud & Resources

Law Enforcement & Other Links Local News Links Local Weather Patrol Most Wanted Photo Album Skate Park Statistics