Identity Theft
By: Colin Hurt and Maddie Walters
How Can it Occur?
Internet Occurs when you receive e-mails form people posing as legitimate companies who ask for credit card information. | Records I.D. thieves can hack your computer, pay off company employees to gain access to your records, or steal records directly from the company. | I.D. thieves can easily steal your mail, including banking and credit card statements, as well as checks, tax information, and more. |
Internet
Occurs when you receive e-mails form people posing as legitimate companies who ask for credit card information.
Records
I.D. thieves can hack your computer, pay off company employees to gain access to your records, or steal records directly from the company.
ATMs I.D. thieves can capture your ATM card information by attaching a data storage device to the ATM directly, which gathers your personal information when you swipe the card. | Direct Theft I.D. thieves can steal wallet, purse, or financial information directly from your house. | Scams I.D. thieves use tempting prizes, great deals, or easy money to draw a person in. Scammers pretend to be legitimate bankers or companies and request personal information. |
ATMs
I.D. thieves can capture your ATM card information by attaching a data storage device to the ATM directly, which gathers your personal information when you swipe the card.
Direct Theft
I.D. thieves can steal wallet, purse, or financial information directly from your house.
How Can It Be Prevented?
Secure social security number, do not carry it with you unless needed. Do not respond to unsolicited requests for personal information. Cover the keypad when typing personal information. Collect mail promptly when it arrives. Pay attention to billing sentences when they are received. Shred personal information when done with it. Store personal information in safe places. Install firewalls and virus detection software in computers. Create complex passwords for accounts. Order your credit report annually and report suspicious activity immediately.
What Should a Victim of Identity theft Do?
Place an initial fraud alert. Order your credit report. Create an identity theft report, such as a police report and a report to the federal Trade Commission. Request a credit card freeze. Place an extended fraud alert.