Identity Theft

By: Nakeisha BarnettThursday 2-3:153/4/06

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is when a person gathers personal information to assume the identity of another person for illicit reasons.

Phising

• Phishing is another form of identity theft.

• What is Phishing?– When an e-mail is sent to a user that

claims to be a legitimate enterprise in order to trick the user into giving up important information that will be used in identity theft.

Why Is It Done?

• An individual’s identity is stolen in order for the criminal to:– Get credit cards.– Steal money from the victim’s account.– Rent an apartment.– Apply for loans.– Obtain a job with the victim’s identity.– File for bankruptcy.

How Is It Done?

• The criminal obtains the victim’s social security number, birth date, address, or phone number.

• Then the criminal uses a false driver’s license with their picture and victim’s information to begin their crime.– The criminal tends to claim they moved

and provide their own address

Where Can Criminal Get Information?

• From your doctor or dentist

• accountant or lawyer

• school

• place of work

• health insurance carrier

• incorrect disposal of personal information found in the trash.

What Happens to the Victim of Identity Theft?

• They get little help from the authorities who informed them of their condition

• The police don’t investigate such crimes

• There is emotional scarring

• They sustain abuse from collection agencies

• It takes them a long time to clean up their credit

• Some victims report ineffective help from banks, CRAs, and credit grantors

Some Preventative Methods

• Get a locked mailbox or a post office box• Do not place social security number on

checks or credit card receipts• ***Don’t put social security number on the

net***• ***Monitor all bank statements from every

credit card every month***• Shred all important information and pre-

approved credit card applications• Obtain photo id on credit and business

What to do If You Become A Victim

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission

• Local Postal inspection service

• Social Security administration

• Internal Revenue Service

• Three companies that can help– Equifax– Experian– Trans Union

Two Examples of Id Theft

• In 2005 an anonymous victim found out that someone was renting out his house to tenants from his realtor while he was away from the United States for 4 years.

• Linda Foley’s identity was stolen by her employer Bari Nessel who used her identity to purchase credit cards and advertisements from a firm she currently worked for.

Sources

• www.indentitytheft.org

• www.usdoj.gov/criminal /fraud/idtheft.html• www.webopedia.com/TERM/p/phising.html

• www.privactyrights.org/AR/id_theft.htm