Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States

May 22, 7:03 AMCuyahoga County Crime ExaminerAnita Wolfe

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Over 10 million Americans have been the victims of identity theft costing them approximately $5 billion dollars if not more. That figure will only increase. There are ways to prevent identity theft if you understand which information thieves will attempt to obtain.

The following is a list of personal information and the threat sensitivity that should be protected:
Full Name, Address, Phone Number - Sensitivity Low
Date of Birth, Birthplace, and Mother’s Maiden Name – Sensitivity Medium
Social Security Number, Bank Account Number, Credit Card Number, PIN or Password – Sensitivity High

Protecting this information, especially the personal information with a high sensitivity level is very important. Just one of the items with sensitivity level of high can cause some damage and take months to clear up the mess.

There are numerous ways an identity thief can get at your personal information. It is important that you know where and why you are vulnerable. Here is a list of vulnerable places and tips to help you protect your information.

Outgoing and incoming mail
Be careful with your mail, it contains a lot of personal information

• Do not leave your outgoing mail lying around. Drop it in the mail box.
• Do not put your mail in your mailbox and leave it overnight.
• When you go on vacation have your mail held at the post office until your return. You can do this by simply filling out a form and this service is free of charge.

Secure your computer
The average personal computer user is unaware of how easily an identity thief can steal their personal information. You could be just a few mouse clicks away from having your identity stolen.

• Use anti-spyware and anti-virus software, the two in combination will help protect your computer.
• Do not fall for a phishing email. Phishing is a criminally fraudulent process of trying to acquire sensitive information such as, usernames, passwords and credit card details by presenting themselves as a trustworthy site in an email or other electronic communication.
• Encrypt your wireless connection if you have one.
• Be careful of shopping online and only shop at the sites you trust.
• If you give away or sell your computer make sure you erase your hard drive. Just to be safe do not store your passwords anywhere on your computer.
• When a site has a check box for “Remember me on this computer” do not check it. Yes you will have to sign in every time you visit that site but a few extra seconds is worth it when you are talking about your identity.
• Pick a safe password. Do not use words or number that other will be able to guess. Do not use your social security number. Mix number and letters to make a strong password.

Taking out the trash
Think before trashing. If something has your credit card, social security, bank account or any other personal information you should shred it before you put it into the trash. A good cross cut shredder does a nice job. Here is a list of items you will want to shred prior to trashing them.

• Pay stubs
• Bank statements
• Bills
• Credit card statements
• Tax forms
• ATM receipts
• Expired credit cards, passports and visas
• Canceled or voided checks.
• Pre-approved credit card offers. An industrious thief will fill out these forms, change the mail to address and telephone number and they will receive a credit card in your name.

It can take as long or more than a year before you realize your identity has been stolen. Here are just a few more simple steps you can take to safeguard your identity.

• Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards.
• Never give out your personal information to anyone who contacts you through a phone call.
• Do not keep your social security card in your wallet or purse.
• Opt out of pre-approved offers. You can do this by calling 1-888-5OPT-OUT or go to their website at http://www.OptOutPrescreen.com to remove your name from pre-approved offers and insurance mailings. The FTC at http://www.ftc.gov also has a page on Prescreened Offers of Credit and Insurance.
• Check your bills and bank statements as soon as you receive them.
• Check your credit reports. Here are the telephone numbers for the big three credit report agencies; Equifax – 1-800-525-6285, Experian – 1-888-397-3742, and TransUnion – 1-800-680-7289.
• When sending out resumes do not list your date of birth or your social security number. A prospective employer does not need this information until you are hired.

Protect your checkbook
Always place your checkbook in a secure place, do not leave it sitting out in the open for anyone to see. Your identity can be stolen even in your own home. If you employee a housekeeper or you have a roommate be aware and do not leave personal information lying around.

Using ATM cards
Guard against others seeing your PIN number while entering it into ATM machines. Never go to an ATM late at night.

What to do if your identity is stolen
All of these tips are to prevent identity theft, but sometimes that does not stop a very determined thief. If you have had your identity stolen you should contact your banks and any other financial institution necessary, file a police report and contact the FTC at http://www.ftc.gov to file a complaint.