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Preventing identity theft
(by Kathryn A. Burger - May 07, 2008)
Identity theft, in all its permutations, is a crime and according to the Federal Trade Commission, is the fastest growing Internet crime.
How it’s done
There several ways people’s identities are used illegally. “True name” theft occurs when the thief uses personal information to obtain cell phone service or a new credit card account and then rack up charges.
Another is “account takeover” In this version, thieves use the information to access existing accounts. Most often, they change the mailing address on the accounts so the true account holder is unaware that their identity has been stolen until well after the thief has used it to purchase goods and services. Thieves that steal bank account information can drain checking accounts by making fraudulent purchases using the victim’s debit card number.
The Internet has made it easier for thieves to use the information they’ve stolen since transactions are done with out personal contact.
Prevention
The Park Ridge Police Department’s Detective Bureau has produced its own pamphlet to help residents avoid being a victim. “Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft,” contains not only ways to reduce the risk of being victimized but how to proceed if people believe they have been. Chief Joseph Madden said, “As part of our Community Policing initiative, the department developed the brochure to provide information on prevention of identity theft as well as what to do if you think – or know – you are of victim of this crime.” All those who report suspected identity theft are given a copy of the pamphlet.
Among the suggestions to prevent identify theft in the pamphlet: “Remove your name from mailing lists for pre-approved credit lines and from marketer’s unsolicited mailing and telephone lists.” Another strategy, shredding all documents that contain personal information, rather than merely recycling them along with newspapers, was facilitated by the recent Park Ridge D.A.R.E. fundraiser held earlier this month. More than 50 residents brought boxes and bags of personal documents to a mobile shredding station, and for a small donation, watched as they were destroyed.
If fraud/theft is suspected
In the pamphlet, first on the “to do” list is for those who believe they have been a victim of identify theft is to contact their local police department to document the incident. A number of these reports from the department have appeared in the Community Life Police Report:
A resident reported that his credit union notified him that someone had attempted to transfer funds from his account to another. The party that attempted the fraud had the resident’s Social Security number, date of birth, credit card number and bank account PIN number.
A resident’s debit card number was used to make $400 worth of purchases on the Internet.
Three unauthorized charges totaling $800 had been made with a credit card in the hours immediately following the cardholder’s purchase of gas at a borough station. (It was unknown if the account information was obtained at the gas station.)
A resident said his bank had advised him that someone had attempted to obtain a credit card with his name and social security number and that a check of his credit revealed that another application for a credit card in his name was being processed at another bank. Each attempt was thwarted.
Usually, victims have no idea how their information was obtained.
How information is acquired
According to SearchSecurity.com, the most common method thieves use to acquire personal information is retrieving paperwork and discarded mail from trash and materials to be recycled. Another way, dubbed, “shoulder surfing,” has the thief standing next to someone at a public office – the Motor Vehicle Bureau for example – and reading the information the person is filling out on a form. A less common way thieves obtain data is the wholesale theft of information by hacking into a database.
Learn more
The Federal Trade Commission’s Web site at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/micosites/idtheft/ offers information on identity theft. The FTC’s toll-free number to report fraud: 877-438-4338.
The department’s pamphlet includes this information as well as several other sources of information and agencies that can assist victims. Free copies of the pamphlet are available to the public at Park Ridge Police headquarters, 33 Park Ave.
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
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