Identity Theft: Prevention & Recovery. Kathi Gosnell Investigator Consumer Protection Division Iowa Attorney General s Office

Transcription

1 Identity Theft: Prevention & Recovery Kathi Gosnell Investigator Consumer Protection Division Iowa Attorney General s Office

2 What is identity theft? Stealing personal information and using without permission # 1 complaint for Federal Trade Commission 12.7 million victims in 2014 $16 BILLION stolen in 2014

3 How do thieves get your information? Dumpster diving Yours, business, landfill Your mailbox Take bills, credit card offers, etc. Steal information through their job Medical offices, banks, government agency

4 How do thieves get your information? Scamming Social engineering over phone, phishing ( or texts) Hacking Data breaches

5 What can they do with it? Empty bank accounts, max out credit cards, obtain utilities Receive medical treatment, file tax return and steal refund, give your name to police when arrested

6 REDUCE YOUR RISK!

7 Reduce Your Risk Get free credit report every year Review for strange entries or errors Dispute Monitor your bank accounts and credit cards Follow-up on mystery charges and debits Close accounts, if necessary

8 Reduce Your Risk Pay attention to your billing cycles Check with company if bill doesn t show up Review your Explanation of Benefits Contact insurance company and medical provider if you didn t receive the services listed

9 Reduce Your Risk Keep your personal information secure Lock up financial documents and records Locking file cabinet at home Consider safety deposit box for rarely used documents Only carry the identification and payment cards you need. Don t carry Social Security card! Drop outgoing mail in locked mailbox or post office

10 Reduce Your Risk Stop your mail if you re going out of town Shred sensitive documents Financial statements, insurance forms, expired cards Consider opting out of prescreened credit card offers Stop for five years

11 Reduce Your Risk Protect medical information Remove labels from prescription packaging before throwing out and shred Be stingy with your ID! Ask why info is necessary Is there an alternative? How will it be secured? When and how will it be destroyed?

12 Reduce Your Risk Use caution online Don t click on links in s Go directly to company s website and call the customer service number listed Ask whether to company really sent a request

13 Reduce Your Risk Protect your computer and mobile devices Update your anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and firewall frequently Don t open files, click on links, or download programs sent by strangers Wipe your computer or mobile device before disposing of it Lock with PIN or password Don t use remember password on sites Only store financial info if necessary

14 Reduce Your Risk Make sure websites are encrypting your data Lock icon indicates a secured site Be wise about Wi-Fi Use secure wireless network Make sure you use secured sites if on non-secured network Keep passwords private Mix letters, numbers, and special characters Four score and seven years ago (4s&7ya) I march to my own drummer! (Im2mod!) Don t use reuse passwords

15 Reduce Your Risk Be smart about social media limit access to your social media accounts Don t overshare Easy answers to challenge questions Read privacy policies

16 Unfortunately

17 Signs of Identity Theft Unexplained bank withdrawals Not receiving mail Businesses refuse your checks or credit cards Contact from debt collectors Unfamiliar charges to your credit card Bills for services you didn t use IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name

18 Signs of Identity Theft Cont d. Notice that your information was compromised at a company where you do business Home Depot, Target, Michaels, Dairy Queen Arrested for a crime someone else committed

19 What should you do??

20 Place an Initial Fraud Alert It s free! Contact 1 credit reporting company Confirm they will contact other 2 Entitles you to a free report from each credit reporting company Record dates of actions (calls, letters, etc.) Keep copies of important documents Alert stays on your report for 90 days

21 Create an Identity Theft Report Submit a complaint to the FTC File a police report Bring a copy of your FTC ID Theft Affidavit Attach FTC ID Theft Affidavit to your police report Keep a complete copy in your files

22 Request a Credit Freeze Contact each credit reporting company Free if submitting police report as victim of ID theft; $10 for each agency if preventative measure Stays in place until you request it removed $12 to remove (temporary, specific creditor, permanently) Record important dates Keep copies of important documents

23 Place an Extended Fraud Alert Contact each credit reporting company Alert in effect for 7 years Entitles you to 2 free credit reports from each company per year Credit report companies take your name off marketing lists for 5 years

24 Next Steps & Long-term Plan

25 Review Your Credit Reports Make sure all key information is up to date Name Address Social Security number Employers Look for errors

26 Dispute Errors Errors with credit reporting agency Write to each agency Each business has 30 days to investigate and respond Agency will send a letter with results Fraudulent charges on your accounts Change account numbers/passwords/pin Contact their fraud department Ask if company uses special dispute forms Ask for letter confirming removal

27 Dispute Errors Ask that credit reporting agencies block fraudulent information from credit report Make sure business stops reporting inaccurate information Get copies of documents ID thief used Ex. Copy of credit application and signature Free and within 30 days of request Keep record of calls and letters

28 Who to Contact in Dispute Fraudulent transaction on debit card ATM or debit card issuer How quickly you report determines your maximum loss Stolen checks Financial institution Check verification companies Fraudulent checking accounts ChexSystems to request free report Financial institutions with fraudulent accounts

29 Who to Contact in Dispute Fraudulent charges on credit card Credit card issuer Bankruptcy filed in your name The U.S. Trustee in the region the bankruptcy was filed Consider hiring an attorney Affected investment accounts Broker or account manager File a complaint with the SEC

30 Resources FTC Materials Taking Charge: What to Do If Your Identity is Stolen Identity Theft: What to Know, What to Do Iowa Attorney General s Office

31 BONUS! Student Loan Rescue Companies

32 The Contact Radio Ad Cold Call Internet search SPAM

33 The Pitch Reduce monthly payments Negotiate with USDE to get loans cancelled Access to special forgiveness programs Audit financial aid history; reduce amount owed SAVE BIG MONEY!

34 The Catch Upfront fees Monthly charges Lots of sensitive information requested Uncomfortable amount of access granted

35 Who are these people? Small legal practices/ sole practitioners Debt consolidation companies Organized crime Small-time scammers

36 Services Delivered Change repayment plan Consolidation Account maintenance Payment middle-man Nothing

37 The Scary Stuff Collect borrower SSN, DOB, FSA PIN Obtain bank account numbers for auto-debit Power of Attorney Contracts allow to change account contact info

38 Possible Outcomes Borrowers pay money for services they could complete for free with loan holder/servicer Company drains bank account Company steals identity or sells to another thief Loans are neglected and default

39 Solutions? File complaints with AG s Consumer Protection Division Information from college staff to students, recent grads, and alumni