Deter Identity Theft – at home, at work, at play
It all began with a call from a customer service representative from Kay Jewelers back in June 2006. The story ended in a bittersweet way eight months later. And no, this isn’t a love story.
The jeweler’s alert customer service representative called Jennifer Silvestri, assistant vice president of Human Resources, after a person tried to open a line of credit using three pieces of Silvestri’s personal information. Suspicious of the person’s intentions, the customer service rep called Silvestri to find out whether she had applied for a line of credit.
That call was Silvestri’s first inkling that her identity may have been stolen.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity theft is serious. People whose identities have been stolen can spend hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record.
Silvestri was one of the lucky ones. Because she was alerted before her credit rating was affected, she could act quickly to close down accounts and notify the credit agencies. By the time she found out, however, the thief had already added two new addresses to her credit records and redirected her bills to the new addresses.
Even today, she has no idea how her personal identification got into the hands of thieves. She is conscientious about shredding credit card solicitations, bills and any other documents that may have confidential data.
The Federal Trade Commission recommends that you take the following steps to safeguarding your information in order to deter thieves:
• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
• Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact and know who you are dealing with.
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a Web address you know.
• Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
• Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
Many people don’t learn that they’re victims of identity theft until their credit rating is damaged. They lose out on job opportunities or are denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. The potential for damage, loss, and stress is considerable. Take steps now to protect your personal information.
This is the first of a three-part series on identity theft based on information from the Federal Trade Commission. For more information, go to the FTC’s web site on identity theft at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or contact the health and safety awareness committee at healthandsafety@temple.edu.