Tick Toc, Tick Toc… two seconds have gone by and statistically there is a new identity theft victim (ITV). ITV is a National epidemic; many experts agree that Globally we are three times more likely to fall victim to identity theft as Americans. To put this in perspective, next time you are shopping at your local mall, look around you and pick 14 people. Then you use your psychic superpower and determine that they have not fell victim to Identify fraud. You look at yourself and realize it is you that have fell victim to Identity theft because 1 out of every 15 Americans have their Identity stolen. Unlike lightening Identify theft can strike more than once, one in five Identity Theft Victims (ITV) revisit that vulnerability of being a victim of theft. Did you realize that millions of children, and family members who have passed are also victims of Identify theft? The Elderly is one of the most common targets of Identity Theft. So much so many State Laws upgrade crimes against the elderly in an attempt to deter crime.
Prevent being an ITV by applying best practices:
Protecting personal data
Computer Practices
Use a firewall and secure browser.
Don't download files from strangers.
Update current virus protection.
Password-protect any personal or financial information.
Avoid automatic log-in processes (which store your account name and password).
Passwords:
create secure random passwords
use different passwords for different accounts
Do not write them down in accessible areas to view.
Shred bills and documents with personal information.
Take prescription labels off the bottles before you discard them.
Social Media (SM) awareness – people can harvest information from your SM account(s)including but not limited:
Age and or dates of birth
Pets names
children’s names
Names of School you attended
Some of that information noted above may be used as your security questions. Control your settings and your content.
Phone calls- Do not give personal information over the phone unless you are sure the call is legitimate. If someone asks you to verify information, ask them to give you the information if you are comfortable verify it and do not add additional information.
What do I do if I become a victim of Identity theft and Fraud?
If your Social Security number was used to file a tax return to the IRS:
IRS TAX FRAUD WEBSITE
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-guide-to-identity-theft
Identity Theft Contact Information for CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts
https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html
Experian: www.experian.com to add an alert and view your report immediately; 1 888 397 3742.
Equifax: 1 800 525 6285, www.equifax.com.
TransUnion: 1 800 680 7289, www.transunion.com.
Credit Reporting Agencies (For a family member that has passed)
Immediately contact all three national credit reporting agencies by telephone to report the death: Experian (888-397-3742), Equifax (800-685-1111) and TransUnion (800-888-4213). Request the credit report is flagged as “Deceased. Do Not Issue Credit”
Sample letter- http://www.meyercapel.com/sites/default/files/Notification-of-Death-Sample-Letter.pdf
When reporting the Identity Theft (Fraud)to the Police
As a Detective Supervisor (OIC) working for Sheriff Donald Fleming at Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Economic Fraud Division. I was surprised to see how little the Police and Prosecutors know about Fraud, identity theft Investigations, and theft schemes.
Tips from me when talking to the Police
If you are elderly report the crime with a competent family member.
Do not assume that a uniformed Police Officer will know how to navigate your incident at first or even designate it as a crime. In most jurisdictions you can ask the officer to make an Information Incident Report if the Officer doesn’t classify the event as a crime.
Come prepared and provide a timeline with a chronology of events that include:
Dates / Times, Places of the incidents and other case related information (credit card numbers, statements, etc.)
When and who you spoke to at the bank and or credit card companies. Provide their full names/ titles, phone numbers, emails and other contact information. Also provide a brief account of what was said.
When the Police ask you questions answer the who, why, when how and why if applicable.
Get the officer’s full name (s), phone numbers and email addresses when possible.
Ask the officer what you can do to help yourself.
Ask them what is the Detective’s name that will be assigned to your case and if he/she will be contacting you and when.
Do not give them unrelated information or spend time on the phone talking with them about things other than the case.
Summary
Tick Toc, Tic Toc two seconds have gone by and statistically are you going to be a victim of identity theft (ITV)? Be vigilant to prevent and terminate your vulnerably to identify theft fraudsters. In addition, be tenacious during the process. Understand it will take time to reverse the financial injury.
John Gaspar, B.S., M.S., C.F.E., C.S.T
A2800136 B1400220 C8700342 D1631055 G 1703613 MB1500122 National Firearm permit under HR218
Florida Justice Administration Commission (JAC) Investigator
Board Accredited Investigator-BAI Program Director
Board Member for Florida Association of Private Investigators
Florida Association of Private Investigators List -serve Moderator
www.afipi.com jgaspar@afipi.com
Phone: 1-888-697-3478 Facsimile: 386-845-9265
John Gaspar
Additional attribution
https://www.acfe.com/
https://www.acfe.com/article.aspx?id=436
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/