In the News - March 2008
Identity Theft: Could it happen to you?
LITTLE ROCK - Consumer surveys, contests, mailboxes and trash cans are all
suspects when it comes to leaking personal information to identity thieves, says
Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent for the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture.
"Identity thieves have multiple means of obtaining your personal
information," Haley says. "They can take mail from unsecure mailboxes or trash
receptacles, a method the Federal Trade Commission refers to as ‘dumpster
diving.’
"They can also steal credit and debit card numbers by using a special storage
device when processing your card," she says. "Online surveys and contests that
request personal information are also potential leak sources."
Using your account information, an identity thief can open a false bank
account in your name. By pretending to be financial institutions, charities, or
even the IRS, identity thieves can send spam or pop-up messages over the
Internet to trick you into sharing your personal information.
How can you protect yourself against identity theft? Haley recommends never
giving your checking account, credit card, or Social Security numbers to an
unknown caller. As a precaution, remove your Social Security number from your
checks and driver’s license and don’t carry the original card with you. Use
random PIN numbers to access your bank and credit card accounts.
Shredding financial documents before putting them in the trash is another
good practice.
The Internet is another leak source. As more people use the ‘net, "the risk
of your account information or Social Security number being seen by an identity
thief increases," Haley says. "When conducting an Internet transaction, be sure
to use secure or encrypted web sites. These sites will be indicated by an
‘https’ in the address."
If you discover that you have become the victim of identity theft, act
quickly and effectively to minimize damage. The U of A Extension Service
recommends calling your local police department and obtaining a written copy of
your police report. Notify your banker or credit union and set up a new account
if your current one has been infiltrated. Make a request of "fraud alert" from
all three national credit bureaus. You will also need to contact check
verification companies. Help aid federal investigations by reporting the theft
to the FTC.
To avoid being solicited by phone or email by a would-be identity thief, the
Extension Service recommends opting out of companies that share your information
with outsiders. To get off mailing lists, call 1-888-5-OPTOUT. Send notice to
www.e-mps.org to get off national e-mail
lists. To avoid unwanted telemarketer calls, contact the FTC National Do Not
Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 or
www.donotcall.gov.
For more information about identity theft, please visit
www.uaex.edu. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A
Division of Agriculture.
March 7, 2008
By Rebecca Norman
For the Cooperative Extension Service
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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