Identity Protection

Dumpster diving is a common method used by thieves, as they simply go through dumpsters of garbage in search of any paperwork and/or bills that will provide personal information. To prevent a thief from obtaining your information by digging through dumpsters, consider shredding all bills and other paperwork that has personal information on it.

Through a method called skimming, thieves use devices to pull information from the magnetic strip on the back of credit or debit cards. A skimmer device is typically located very close or over the ATM card reader or any other device where cards are processed such as a gas station pump. Thieves use plaster and plastic to conceal the device, making it look part of the manufacturer’s design.

Small cameras are also used to capture users’ PINS. To help prevent skimming, be observant of the ATM or other card processing centers. If you notice tape residue, report this immediately to the institution or business, as many thieves use double-sided adhesives when placing skimming devices. Also, consider using your hand to shield your PIN number and practice debit card and ATM safety tips.

Through a method called phishing, thieves use email, text messaging, and pop-up messaging to pose as financial institutions or other businesses in order to trick you into revealing your personal information. To prevent phishing, delete any emails, text messages, or pop-up messages you receive asking you to confirm or provide personal information, such as account numbers, Social Security number, or passwords. Legitimate companies do not ask for personal information over these types of platforms. If you are concerned about your account, be sure to contact the business by looking up their number on financial statements or on the back of your credit card.

Pretexting is a method used by thieves, who pose as a business or financial institution to get you to reveal your personal information. These thieves may then sell your information to people who may use it to steal your identity. To prevent pretexting, be cautious when giving out any personal information to a caller over the phone, such as your address, birthday, account numbers, or social security number. Always be aware of the situation at hand, and if anything is out of the ordinary or you suspect uncommon activity, be sure to contact the business or financial institution immediately.

Identity thieves use a simple method of changing your address by completing a change of address form to collect your personal information. Billing statements and other letters including personal information are diverted to the new address. To prevent this method, be observant of missing bills or letters you are expecting. If you notice that certain bills are not arriving as they typically do, immediately contact the postal service in your area or the billing institution.

While identity thieves are becoming more sophisticated with their methods of stealing identities, many thieves still use the old-fashion method of stealing. By stealing purses, wallets and mail, thieves can obtain access to your debit and credit cards, pre-approved credit offers, billing statements, and other personal information. If you notice that your wallet or purse is missing or you notice that expected mail is not arriving, immediately report this to the authorities.

Unfortunately, children can also become victims of identity theft. Just as thieves may use adult identities to open new accounts, apply for loans or rent a place to live, they can also do this with your child’s identity. It is vital that you protect your child’s information, just as you protect your own.

Know the warning signs. One of the main ways to observe if your child is a victim of identity theft is to check to see if they have a credit report. If they do, you should contact the three major credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian immediately. You can request a manual search of your child’s file, which they will search based on your child’s name and Social Security number. The credit bureau may request copies of identification documents before completing the search.

You may also realize your child’s identity has been stolen for other reasons such as receiving a notification from the IRS that your child’s Social Security number has been used on another tax return or receiving calls or bills from products that were not ordered. If you suspect your child’s identity has been stolen, you should contact the police immediately.