3 Steps To Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

Identify theft is a serious crime. It occurs when personal information is stolen and used without our knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.

According to the Federal Trade Commission here are the Common Ways ID Theft happens:

1.Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2.Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3.Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4.Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form.
5."Old-Fashioned" Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.

To avoid ID theft we need to Deter, Detect and defend our identity. The web site www.ftc.gov/idtheft is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.

Step #1 DETER identity thieves by safeguarding informationn
• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information; don't just toss in the trash.
• Protect Social Security number. Do not carry in your wallet or write the number on a check.
• Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails.
• Don't use an obvious password.
• Keep personal information in a secure place at home.

Step #2 DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring financial accounts and billing statements.

• Be alert to signs that require immediate attention: Bills that do not arrive as expected, unexpected credit card or account statements, denials of credit for no apparent reason, calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
• Inspect your credit report. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history. By law the major nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it. I recommend you stagger throughout the year when you ask for your report. Ask for one in January from one company, request a report from a different company in May and then again from the last company in September. This is an easy way to see if anything has been added to your report you aren't aware of or is inaccurate. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.comn • Review financial accounts and billing statement regularly, checking for charges you did not make.

Step #3 DEFEND against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.

• Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. A call to either of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies is sufficient:nn*Equifax: 1-800-525-6285n*Experian: 1-888-397-3742n*TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289n
• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.nn*Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
*Use the ID Theft Affidavit at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.
*Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
*Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.

• File a police report. This will help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.nn*Online: ftc.gov/idtheftn*By phone: 1-877-438-4338n or TTY, 1-866-653-4261n*By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghousen Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580n
To fight back against identity theft we need to use three steps to avoid theft: Deter, Detect and Defend.

Marilyn Bohn's Bio
Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for over two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Marilyn invites you to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.