www.servicecu.org/webinars/0609IdTheft/index.asp
Identity Theft:
Protect Yourself | Protect Yourself
Against Phishing | more...
Slide 1
Welcome to Service Credit Unions online seminar, "Identity Theft: Protecting Yourself". My name is Nancy Layton and Ill be the host of todays seminar.
This presentation will discuss what identity theft is, some types of identity theft, and how to protect yourself. Youll get some pointers on what to do if you are a victim.
Slide 2
What is identity theft? Its when someone uses YOUR personal identifying information to commit fraud or theft.
For the 9th year in a row, identity theft was the #1 consumer complaint, accounting for 26% of the 1.2 million complaints received by the Federal Trade Commission.*
Slide 3
Here are but a few ways that people can steal your identity:
Dumpster Diving is when someone goes through your dumpster, garbage, or trash.
Have you ever been at the checkout line in the grocery store, used your debit or ATM card and as you enter your PIN, feel that the person behind you in line is standing a little too close? They could be shoulder surfing taking a look over your shoulder to see what number youre entering for your PIN.
Pretext calling is when the crook places a call and then pretends to be someone theyre not, such as a representative from your financial institution or credit card company.
There are many types of theft – mail theft is when someone tampers with or steals your mail; theft in the workplace can happen if you leave your wallet or billfold in an unsafe location, or you leave confidential information out.
Slide 4
Skimming is a small device that the crook will place in an ATM card reader. Sometimes they stick out of the machine. Do not use an ATM if it looks at all suspicious and always be sure to use a secure ATM, one that has cameras.
A criminal could change your address and have your information sent to a different address. This gives the perpetrator access to your statement and account number.
Phishing is an ongoing problem – you receive an unsolicited email, posing as a legitimate company, such as your financial institution and asking you to verify personal information such as account numbers or promising some type of benefit if you provide your account information.
Vishing is like phishing, but its done by the phone. The victim is asked to call a particular number, and when they do, they may be asked to enter credit card numbers or punch in their social security.
Slide 5
When someone steels your identity – exactly what can they do?
Go on a spending spree – using your credit or debit card Open new credit card accounts – all under your name
Take out loans in your name
Establish phone or wireless service – in your name Drain your account(s)
In general, they can make your life very difficult.
Slide 6
Contrary to what you may think, most identity theft doesnt happen online, in a virtual world, it happens in the real world.
Slide 7
How can you protect yourself and STOP identity theft before it starts? One of the first things to do is after you pay your bills, either keep them in a safe place or destroy them – shred or burn!
If you are mailing your bills, consider taking them to the post office or use the corner US postal service mail box. If you put them in your mail box that has no security, someone could take the payment, which would give them access to your personal information. And speaking of writing bills, make sure that you cant see any kind of confidential information in the window of the return envelope. Its even better if you use home banking and bill pay. Once you set up the accounts, its so easy to make your payments!
Consider receiving your statements on line as well.
Slide 8
If you are using an ATM debit card, you may want to consider using the credit option. This way you dont need to put in your PIN. If you do use your PIN, make sure that nobody is standing behind you watching what youre doing. Shield your transaction and the screen if possible.
Dont carry around your social security card – as a matter of fact, keep the minimum number of ID and credit cards on your person that you possibly can.
One of the most important things to do is be vigilant. Make sure there is not someone standing right behind you 'shoulder surfing, looking over your shoulder and looking at what youre doing. Dont toss your bills, convenience checks, even pre-approvals you receive in the mail. Shred or keep them safe. Be aware of your surroundings and be aware of what youre doing!
Slide 9
The next few slides will address credit card fraud.
Offline use
If possible, dont let the card out of your sight when paying.
Only give your credit card number over the phone if it was you that made the call, and not the other way around.
Carry your cards separately from your wallet.
Void incorrect receipts
Slide 10
Online use
Make sure you know the site asking for your details.
DO NOT give out your credit card information in an email, its better to give the information over the phone.
Slide 11
Use your credit card online at trusted, secure sites.
You can tell a website is secure when a padlock appears in the browser, and also when the website begins with "https" instead of "http".
Slide 12
Here are some general guidelines on how to protect your cards and stop identity theft before it starts:
Open your statements and bills as soon as you receive them. Make sure that you recognize all the transactions.
If not, contact the card company immediately. When done with the statement file it safely away, shred, or burn it.
Slide 13
Sign new or replacement cards as soon as you receive them.
Cut up or shred your expired cards
Make sure you cut through the magnetic strip
Dont keep your PIN numbers written down in your wallet or purse.
Report stole cards to the issuer immediately.
If you lose your credit or charge cards or you realize that theyre lost or stolen, immediately call the issuer. Many companies have a 24 hour toll-free number. By law, once you report the loss or theft, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under the law is $50 per card.
Slide 14
Another very commonplace attempt at stealing your identity is called 'phishing.
A simple definition of Phishing is when Internet hackers use emails as bait to "fish" for your financial information.
The sole purpose is to trick you to give out personal or financial information.
It is a continuing problem. Whats so frightening is that many crooks who use phishing are incredibly crafty! If you receive an email that you arent sure about, DO NOT RESPOND. And if think it may be legit, contact the company, but DO NOT follow any links in the body of the email!
Slide 15
Because this is an ongoing problem, Service Credit Union has a flash presentation that specifically addresses phishing. It may be accessed at www.servicecu.org/webinars/phishing. The presentation is 5 minutes in length.
Slide 16
How can you tell if youre a victim?
Monitor your financial accounts – look for withdrawals, look for charges
Failing to receive bills or other mail
Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply
Being denied credit for no apparent reason
Youre contacted about merchandise which you did not purchase
Slide 17
If youve taken the steps in the previous slide, and you feel that you have been victimized, here are some steps you can take:
Visit the Federal Trade Commissions identity theft website www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report:
Equifax, Experian, TransUnion
Contact companies to close any accounts you know or suspect have been open fraudulently.
File a report with your local police department.
File a complaint with the FTC.
Slide 18
Service Credit Union offers a service for credit union members who believe they may be a victim: ID
Safe Choice.
Slide 19
Visit servicecu.org, select the tab Security Center, then Safe Choice.
Slide 20
This concludes, Identity Theft: Protecting Yourself.
If you have any comments or questions about the content of the material presented, please contact me directly at nlayton@servicecu.org. Thank you for listening to this presentation.
Copyright 2011 Atkins & Assoc. All rights
reserved.
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