By Maureen Norejko, CIC
Account Executive
Gaspar-Jones ans Associates, Inc

We have all heard the news reports & horror stories about Identity Theft. This crime can destroy your credit rating, prevent you from getting a new home loan, cost you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to set things straight.

There are many steps that can be taken toward the prevention of this crime from happening to you. Below are some tips for preventing Identity Theft, many taken from an article on Moneycentral@msn.com by Jeff Wuorio:

  1. Destroy private records & statements. Shred documents using a cross
      cutter shredder. Cut up old credit cards; throw ½ away at work,
      ½ away at home.
  2. Secure your mail. Know when new checks will be arriving and let your
      bank know if they don't show up on time. Make sure all your bills for the
      month have arrived.
  3. Don't put checks in your mailbox with the red flag up. This is a red flag
      to thieves to steal your mail.
  4. Safeguard your social security number, and those of your kids. Children
      are the fastest growing victims of identity theft. Don't carry your social
      security card in your wallet. Don't offer your children's social security
      number if it's not necessary.
  5. Don't leave receipts behind.
  6. Keep your credit card in sight. Don't loan it out, and don't give out your
      PIN.
  7. Know who you're dealing with. Were you contacted, or did you initiate
      the contact? If someone calls or e-mails you asking for your private
      information don't offer account numbers or access codes/passwords.
      Best to contact the institution separately to make sure this information
      is needed.
  8. Take your name off telemarketing hit lists.
  9. Be defensive with personal information. Are your home address, social
      security number, phone number, driver's license number, etc…really
      necessary?
10. Monitor your credit report. You can (and should) order this for free once
      per year. Call 1-877-322-8228 or go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com.
11. Review your Credit Card Statements Carefully.
12. Photocopy the contents of your wallet. Front & back of cards. Keep this
      copy in a safe place. Call immediately to notify companies that your
      cards have been stolen.
13. Consider who has your PIN, Passwords, etc. Determine if they need to
       be changed.

If you become a victim of Identity Theft here is some advise to make the resolution go quicker:

  1. Contact the local police department & file a report.
  2. Contact the fraud department of each of the three major Credit
      Bureaus. (see below)
         •  Report that you've been an identity theft victim
         •  Request that a fraud alert be placed on your account
         •  Request to be contacted prior to any new accounts being opened in
             your name or before any changes to your existing account happens
  3. Contact Creditors for accounts that have been tampered with, speak to       the security or fraud department.
  4. Keep good records. (Phone conversations, copies of letters sent, costs
      involved).

You can't purchase insurance to prevent this from happening to you. However, there are endorsements from some companies that can help fund the cost of putting your credit back together. Ask your Personal Insurance Specialist at Gaspar-Jones for a quote!

Equifax
To Report Fraud:
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
1-800-525-6285

Experian
To Report Fraud:
PO Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742

TransUnion
To Report Fraud:
ATTN: Fraud Victim
Assistance Division
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634
1-800-680-7289

Social Security Administration To Report Fraud:
1-800-269-0271

Free copy of your credit report annually:
www.AnnualCreditReport.com
or
1-8770322-8228

"OPT Out" list - Removes you from mailing lists the bureaus sell to credit card issuers (not all lenders subscribe to the opt-out service)
1-888-5-OPT OUT (888-5678-688)