What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a criminal offense. It occurs when a person knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit or to aid or abet any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of federal law or that constitutes a felony under any state. Last year alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, a crime that cost them roughly $5 billion.

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Tips to Prevent Identity Theft!

• Review your consumer credit reports annually.  www.annualcreditreport.com
• Shred and destroy unwanted documents that contain personal information.
• Deposit mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes.
• Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
• Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• If you applied for a credit card and didn't receive it when expected, call the financial institution.
• Sign new credit cards immediately--before someone else does.
• Memorize your Social Security number and passwords. Don't use your date of birth as your password and don't record passwords on papers you carry with you.
• Never leave transaction receipts at ATM machines, on counters at financial institutions, or at gasoline pumps.
• Don't carry your Social Security card or birth certificate--leave them in a secure location.
• Don't disclose credit card or other financial account numbers on a Web site unless the site offers a secure transaction.
• Closely monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards and contact the issuer if you don't receive a replacement prior to the expiration date.
• Beware of mail or telephone solicitations that offer prizes or awards--especially if the person asks you for personal information or financial account numbers.
• Match your credit card receipts against your monthly bills and check your monthly financial statements for accuracy.
• Watch for your monthly financial statements and bills. If you don't get them when expected, contact the sender.

Some helpful links to further your knowledge on identity theft

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud.html

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idquiz.html