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In the event of an
Emergency dial
911
Non-Emergency Police 713-884-3131
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In the course of the day you may write a
check at the drugstore, charge tickets to a concert, rent a car, call home on
your cell phone, or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don't give these
routine transactions a second thought. But others may.
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime
in America, affecting half a million new victims each year. Identity theft or
identity fraud is the taking of a victim's identity to obtain credit, credit
cards from banks and retailers, steal money from a victim's existing accounts,
apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, rent an apartment,
file bankruptcy, or obtain a job using the victim's name. Thousands of dollars
can be stolen without the victim knowing about it for months or even years.
The imposter obtains your social security
number, your birth date, and other identifying information such as your address
and phone number. With this information and a fake driver's license, they can
apply in person for instant credit or through the mail posing as you. They often
claim they have moved and provide their own address. Once the first account is
opened, they can continue to add to their credibility.
They get the information from your doctor,
lawyer, school, health insurance carrier, and many other places. "Dumpster
divers" pick up information you may have thrown away, such as utility bills,
credit card slips, and other documents.
TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT FROM HAPPENING
TO YOU
 | Do not give out personal information over the phone,
through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact
or know whom you are dealing with. Identity thieves will pose as bank
representatives, Internet service providers, and even government officials to
get you to reveal identifying information. |
| Shred all documents, including all pre-approved credit
applications received in your name, insurance forms, bank checks and
statements you are discarding, and other financial information. |
| Do not use your mother's maiden name, your birth date,
the last four digits of your social security number, or a similar series of
numbers as a password for anything. |
| Minimize the identification information and the number
of cards you carry. Take what you'll actually need. Don't carry your social
security card, birth certificate, or passport, unless necessary. |
| Do not put your social security number on your checks
or your credit receipts. If a business requests your social security number,
give them an alternate number and explain why. If a government agency requests
your social security number, there must be a privacy notice accompanying the
request. |
| Do not put your telephone number on your checks.
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| Be careful using ATMs and phone cards. Someone may look
over your shoulder and get your PIN numbers, thereby gaining access to your
accounts. |
| Make a list of all of your credit card account numbers
and bank account numbers with customer service phone numbers and keep in a
safe place. |
| When you order new credit cards in the mail or previous
ones have expired, watch the calendar to make sure you get the card within the
appropriate time. If the card is not received within that time, call the
credit card grantor immediately to find out if the card has been sent. If you
don't receive the card, check to make sure a change of address was not filed.
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| Do not put your credit card number on the Internet
unless it is encrypted on a secured site. |
| Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with
creditors if bills don't arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean
an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your
billing address. |
| Cancel all credit cards that you have not used in the
last six months. Open credit is a prime target. |
| Order your credit card report at least twice a year.
Reports should be obtained from all three major sources: Equifax at
800-685-1111; Experian at 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); or TransUnion at
800-680-7293. |
| Correct all mistakes on your credit report in writing.
Send the letters return receipt requested. Identify the problems item by item
and send with a copy of the credit report back to the credit reporting agency.
You should hear back from the agency within 30 days. |
| Write to Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference
Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735 to get your name off direct mail
lists. |
Reprinted from the National Crime Prevention
Council, www.ncpc.org
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