Blocking Identity Theft | Stolen Identity

As everyone knows unless you have been asleep like Rip Van Winkle identity theft has become the #1 crime wave in the U.S.A. according to the FBI and the US Postal Service.

Now a new fear has raised its head because of the recent federal and the state laws that go into effect on January 1, 2008. For years anyone in the country illegally could (and still can) purchase any type of document on the street from some vendor. These fake documents can range from a Social Security card, drivers license, green card or practically anything else people are willing to pay for.

Recently the Arizona Republic ran a three-page article on how easy these documents were to obtain. Arizona and Phoenix are both rated #1 in identity theft. Arizona police have seized 2,134 fraudulent documents in the last two years. And note, that’s just what they found, not what’s out there. Further the Republic says police have received 3400 identity-theft complaints from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

According to the Arizona Republic the authorities fear the fake identity industry will grow as migrants look for ways to circumvent the state’s new employer-sanctions law and a new Bush administration crackdown on illegal workers.

With the job markets for illegal immigrants closing the police statewide look for more identity thefts in order to obtain authentic numbers. “It’s growing and it’s pervasive,” says Lt. Giles Tipsword of the Phoenix Police Department’s property crimes bureau. “This is a multimillion-dollar industry”.

To give some idea of the size of this industry look at these figures:

· 1.5 Million Dollars in Cash seized from fraudulent-document makers operating in Arizona in the last 2 years.

· 491 fake green cards

· 487 Social Security Cards bought by undercover officers

· 172 Drivers licenses bought by undercover officers

· 147 Computers seized

· 217 People arrested

· And you know they didn’t get them all, that goes without saying.

Arizona’s new employer-sanctions law requires companies to verify worker eligibility through a federal database. Lawmakers in other states are taking steps to make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to get fake documents. And under new rules announced last week the Bush administration employers face prosecution if they don’t fire workers whose names and Social Security numbers don’t match.

Nobody expects the fake document industry to dry up and disappear. If anything those in the know say they expect it to get bigger and more sophisticated as criminals who make fake documents adapt to meet the demand. The database can’t flag documents made with stolen identities, where the names and numbers match.

According to Leesa Berens Morrison, the director of the Arizona Department Homeland Security, “There is a good potential for an increase in identity theft and also an increase in the manufacture and sale of fraudulent documents”.

In July, Governor Napolitano signed a tough employer-sanctions law aimed at turning off the job magnet that draws so many illegal immigrants. That law which takes effect January 1, 2008 revokes the business license of employers who knowingly hire illegal workers a second time. It also requires the more than 150,000 licensed Arizona employers to run Social Security and other data for new employees through the federal Basic Pilot Program, an electronic verification system. For the record Arizona businesses employ about 1.6 million workers.

The Basic Pilot Program is designed to determine whether an employee is authorized to work in the U.S. As a result, local, state and federal authorities anticipate a rise in identity theft. They expect to see fake-document makers morphing into large-scale criminal enterprises producing high quality fraudulent documents made with real names and real Social Security numbers stolen from someone else. The trick here is not to let yourself be one of those!

IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION

Undocumented immigrants frequently use illegally obtained identification numbers to gain employment. Victims of this type of identity theft may not suffer financial harm initially because of its intended use. However, down the road you don’t know but what that person may decide to see if they can get a credit card, or buy a house or car – do you see where this is going? They become you! Even if they don’t it will still take you many hours to unravel the web they will have woven. Here is what you can do to protect yourself.

· The first thing you should do is subscribe to LifeLock. There is no finer protection available. And all for about $10 per month.

· Review all bank and credit card statements monthly.

· Notify banks or credit card companies immediately of any unauthorized activity.

· Write “Ask for photo ID next to your signature on the back of your credit cards.

· Ask your credit card company to stop sending blank checks with statements.

· Carefully review your credit reports. Each of the three major credit bureaus must provide a free copy once every 12 months. When you subscribe to LifeLock they will take care of this for you.

· Keep documents with personal information, credit card account information and PIN numbers in a safe place.

· Use a credit card, not a debit card when ordering on-line or by phone. Credit cards offer greater protection to consumers.

· Guard your Social Security number. Never carry your Social Security card with you.

· Do not give out your Social Security number unless it is required for employment, bank account or other legitimate purpose.

· Do not put your Social Security number on your driver’s license.

Reference: Arizona Republic

Article August 19, 2007

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What should a person do if someone started opening credit cards and paying the minimum balances using your information (name, ss #, DOB, etc.) an d you have a police report and reported it to the credit bureaus BUT one credit card company still is calling you and basically harrassing you for their money? When you tell them that I was frauded and that I have police reports they dont care. They say “what kind of con pays the minimum payment”. They will not leave me alone. I even have a fraud alert put on with the three credit bureaus.Should they get a lawyer? Are there such lawyers?

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I lost my State ID. Even though it doesn’t have my s.s. number on it, should I be worried that someone can steal my identity or do any kind of harm to my identity if they get their hands on my ID?

Americas Athletes Blog Community

A relative came and stayed at our home for a few days. They had access to our home when we were at work and so they could have easily gotten all of our information. Now I find that they have stolen from other relatives and committed identity theft in the past! Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves from accounts being opened or loans made in our name?

Americas Athletes Blog Community

Identity Theft is the illegal possession and manipulation of a person’s personal information such as name, social security number, credit card number, driver’s license number, bank account number, address, phone number, and personal identification number (PIN).

It is estimated that each year 10 million Americans fall victim to crimes related to stolen identities. These types of incidents vary from one fraud act to more complicated crimes. Many people found that a new credit card account has been opened on their name leaving an enormous amount of unpaid purchases charged to their credit. Some people found that car loans or a mortgage has been made in their name without their slightest knowledge. Others were just as surprised when they realized their bank accounts has been completely drained using forged checks or debit cards.

How do these imposters get away with these fraudulent acts? By getting their hands on anything that contains your personal details. They steal wallets, your mail, even old mail and past bills sent by the bank, insurance agencies, telephone companies, receipts, anything that has some identification numbers on it. And yes, they do search through your trash bins and garbage. They may also be just behind you at ATM stands, watching you enter your precious PIN number. These people are everywhere; they are on the internet, in your workplace, in public places- always on the look out for private information. They can even go as far as breaking into your home just to get this vital information.

Once they got this information, it could be as easy as calling your bank to increase your credit limit and that all your bills be sent to a new address. It could take months before you realize what has happened, since your bills are being sent to a new location. The next thing you’ll know you have hundreds or even thousands of dollars unpaid balances on your credit card. Just imagine what an infuriating and disheartening situation it could be for you!

So how do you know if your identity has been stolen? The warning signs may include:

* Your mail does not reach you

* Unusual details or charges on your account

* You receive unexpected calls from creditors

* You receive notices for a new credit card

* You have been denied credit

What should you do? You don’t really need to wait to for your creditors to call you up and inform you about fraudulent charges on your account. You should always keep yourself updated on all ydsjhgjzour credit accounts. Many credit card companies offer a service called credit watch and they will alert you every time a new account or inquiry is placed against your credit report.

Be cautious about your personal information. Do not write it or leave it anywhere except in a safe place. Do not carry all your credit cards on your wallet all the time. Bring only the ones you need to use. Be careful when using ATM, especially if there is another person behind you. Shred past mail, receipts, bills before you trash them. Destroy unused credit cards. Do not give any personal information through e-mail.

If your wallet has been stolen, notify your credit card issuer immediately. It is best to have the card cancelled and get another one with a new PIN. If you have not been receiving your mail, report this to your local postal inspector.

If you do suspect of a fraud, place an alert on your accounts right away. You may choose an initial alert which lasts for 90 days on your credit report. However, if you have been a victim of identity theft, you may ask for an extended alert on your credit report which lasts up to seven years. To place a fraud alert, you may contact any of the three consumer reporting companies through their toll-free numbers:

* Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; http://www.equifax.com;

P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374 - 0241

* Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); http://www.experian.com;P.O. Box 9532 Allen , TX 75013

* TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; http://www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

You’ll be entitled for a free credit report so you can personally check on your accounts. Examine all the details on report, any companies you haven’t done business with, unfamiliar accounts, and if there are any unexplainable charges. Make sure that all your personal information like your name, address, SSN is exactly correct. If there is any incorrect detail, update it immediately.

If your account has really been corrupted, speak with someone from the fraud department of that company and notify them about it. Follow it up with a written report sent through registered mail. The letter must state that you dispute such charges due to their fraudulent nature. Request that these fraudulent debts be resolved and that the account be closed.

File a report with your local police. To find out if your state law accepts reports on identity theft, check your state Attorney General’s office at www.naag.org. You should also file a complaint at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Contact them by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653- 4261, or by mail at:

Identity Theft Clearinghouse

Federal Trade Commission

600 Pennsylvania Avenue,

NW, Washington, DC, 20580

You can also visit the FTC website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

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Arnold’s Clones

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In the course of a busy day, you may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail your tax returns, change service providers for your cell phone, or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don’t give these everyday transactions a second thought. But an identity thief does.

Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. Humiliation, anger, and frustration are among the feelings victims experience as they navigate the process of rescuing their identity.

Working with other government agencies and organizations, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has produced this booklet to help you remedy the effects of an identity theft. It describes what steps to take, your legal rights, how to handle specific problems you may encounter on the way to clearing your name, and what to watch for in the future.

Americas Athletes Blogging

Identity theft is on the rise, and is fast becoming one of the top five most often occurring crimes. This crime cost victims, money and time, as well as in some cases even further damages to their health and family. In many instances, it can take up to 400 hours to be resolved, with monetary damages measuring at $5,000.00.

Many states have taken steps to help protect consumers from identity theft, as well as to assist them in recovering. There are now special investigative units within many police departments, as well as State Attorney Generals. However, the state of Texas has recently passed new legislation to help victims of identity theft overcome one of the most significant problems with identity theft that of bank (checking) account theft. Thousands of people each year have had checking accounts opened in their names, checks drawn on the account and thousands of dollars spent, committing identity theft in the form of check fraud.

In the past, check fraud and identity theft victims believed that by simply closing the accounts, after the crime has been discovered, would be enough to stop the unauthorized use of their identity and the account. However, banks had no way of sharing the information about closed accounts with check verification companies that merchants use to determine if checks are legitimate. Identity thieves could use victim’s checks on an account for weeks even though the owner had closed the account and merchants believed they had a reliable system for verifying accounts. This left many retailers with “bad checks” and gave the thieves the opportunity to cash in on this weakness in the banking system.

The Texas Department of Banking adopted the Closed Account Notification System, or CANS, in March 2008. It is believed that this form of protection against identity theft for banks, individuals and retailers is the first of its kind. Representative Helen Giddings (Dallas) authored House Bill 2002, resulting in this protection system and service.

House Bill 2002 requires banks and credit unions in Texas to submit information concerning suspected compromised bank accounts to a secure electronic notification system at a customer’s request. This notification then alerts companies who offer check verification, to the potential identity theft and fraudulent use of checks from a specific account.

The use of House Bill 2002 establishes a secure electronic notification system, for consumers, banks and check verification systems. According to Representative Giddings, “Notification happens by the second business day so that thieves are stopped in their tracks. No longer will identity thieves be able to profit from their crimes by passing bad checks for weeks. Millions of dollars will be saved, but most importantly, stopping identity theft early will help victims restore their credit and good name.”

The new law gives financial institutions additional options to help customers when identity theft or fraud has compromised their accounts. In addition to closing any compromised deposit accounts, the customer may ask the financial institution to send a notice to all major check verification companies.

In order to for consumers to use this service, they must request the action through their bank. It does not happen without their request. Additionally, consumers must provide their financial institutions with: a copy of the incident report or police report case number; a sworn, signed statement that the customer has been a victim of identity theft; and
a written, signed authorization allowing the financial institution to submit the account information to CANS.

This service is provided at no cost to all financial institutions in Texas. To participate, banks must register through a secure web page provided by the Texas Department of Banking. So it is not only important for consumers to request these services, but it is important that your banking institution is participating in this service. To determine if you bank is using this service or has registered to participate in this program talk to your branch or contact the Texas Department of Banking.

Each and every transaction that occurs as a result of identity theft adds to the financial and emotional burden experienced by the victim. With each fraudulent check passed, victims and retailers are both left with losses of time and money. This new law will help consumers to stop identity thieves sooner, as well as stop the cycle of future crimes.

Will other states follow the innovations begun by the state of Texas in providing protection from identity theft for their constituents with House Bill 2002? How effective will this service be? This is yet to be seen, but it all starts with the consumer, they must request participating in the notification system and begin the using the services provided to them to counter the effects of the crime of identity theft.

Blog America

I was planning on getting an iPod, but my dad won’t allow me to get an account on iTunes because of the vulnerability of getting your personal information stolen. Is this possible and what can I do to prevent it?

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“Identity Theft” by Nellie McKay from her CD Obligatory Villagers. One of the best songs, albums and artists you’ve never heard of.

Nellie holds all copyrights - I’m just helping her and Vanguard expose this great talent.

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