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Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft!
We're proud that Fellowes, the leading maker of
shredders, is partnering with NCPC to provide crime
prevention tips during tax time and reaching out with us to
remind everyone of the importance of destroying financial
and other personal documents in ways that make it very hard
for potential thieves to get personal information from them.
What is identity theft?
"Identity theft is a criminal offense. It occurs when a
person knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful
authority, a means of identification of another person with
the intent to commit or to aid or abet any unlawful activity
that constitutes a violation of federal law or that
constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local
law."
Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, 18
USC 1028(a)(7)
How widespread is the problem?
According to the Consumer Sentinel, the Federal Trade
Commission's complaint database, the
National and State Trends in Fraud & Identity Theft: January
- December 2004 reported that the FTC received more than
635,000 complaints about fraud and identity theft in 2004. A
total of 388,603 (61%) of these complaints were
fraud-related, and 246,570 (39%) were reports of identity
theft. This information represents a dramatic increase from
the 516,740 total complaints lodged in the previous year. In
2004, the most common type of identity theft took the form
of credit card fraud (28% of ID theft complaints), followed
by phone or utilities fraud (19%), bank fraud (18%), and
employment fraud (13%). That same year, consumers reported
over $547 million in losses from fraud. For more information
visit www.ftc.gov and
www.consumer.gov.
How can identity theft happen?
"Check
your bank!
We recently received a package cushioned with 1/4"
strips of shredded paper filler made from bank records!
Names, addresses, deposit amounts, account numbers, phone
numbers, Social Security numbers. It was all there. Easily
reconstructed.
We wrote to the company who sent us the box.... 'Your
packing material was most interesting (the recycled
paper). Is there a company that supplies it? Is there a
charge for it? If you have a company name I would
appreciate your sharing it with me. Thanks!'
Their reply... 'Check with any local bank - they shred
6-10 bags per week - you can get it for free for the
asking!'"
- Eavesdropping Detection Specialists -
Murray Associates - Bank Record Shredding
Identity theft often occurs because someone has been
casual with personal information. Leaving personal
information unsecured in your home or sharing personal data
on the Internet is an invitation to potential identity
thieves, as is throwing out sensitive information such as
bank statements, tax forms, or credit card information.
If you can, invest in a good shredder. Whether or not you
use a shredder, inspect your bills, receipts, and discarded
documents for any information that would make them useful to
an identity thief. Look for personal data such as social
security number, birth date, bank and credit card
identifiers, stock or financial account information, maiden
names, employment information, driver's license number, or
old identification cards and credit cards. If you find
something, don't just dispose of it, destroy it!
What is Phishing?
The online identity theft scam known as "phishing" is
quickly growing in the United States and the world. It
involves phony email messages that, in one way or another,
instruct you to divulge personal information such as bank
account details, social security number, a credit card
number, or a password. Often, these emails appear to be from
banks, retailers, or government agencies, and can even refer
you to a website that looks deceivingly official. However,
these emails and website's are not what they seem. They are
in fact forms of fraud, performed without the knowledge of
the company or agency being falsely represented. Yet,
because these emails appear authentic, hundreds of thousands
of Americans become victims of identity theft through
phishing. Be aware of this serious crime, and protect
yourself from internet fraud. You should never
provide confidential information in response to an email
message. For more information on phishing, visit the
Federal Trade Commission website or
www.antiphishing.org.
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NCPC tips on avoiding identity theft victimization:
Tips WiMcGruff The Crime Dogth Thanks From (PDF, 129
KB).
Identity Theft (PDF, 68.5 KB) This brochure
briefly explains identity theft and offers tips on how to
avoid it.
Get tips on how to protect yourself, and learn how
crime on the Internet is
Evolving with Technology.
In the
Fraud and Identity Theft section of Topics in Crime
Prevention on this site, you will find links to resources
about identity theft including the following:
The extent of the problem:
National and State Trends in Fraud and Identity Theft:
January - December 2004 (Federal Trade Commission) .
A primer on identity theft: How Stuff Works:
How
Identity Theft Works.
Basic safety tips for preventing fraud:
How to Protect your name and your credit.
The difference between ID theft on the Internet and in
the physical world:
Identity Theft: A Tragedy for Victims.
List of items that criminals can use if not properly
disposed of:
Paper Shredders: Identity Theft Protection &
Fraud Protection (abcoffice.com).
Federal government information sites:
Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Site;
Identity Theft Resources/Privacy Rights
Clearinghouse; Social Security Administration -
When
Someone Else Uses Your Social
Security Number.
Free Online Documents
Citizens' Preparedness Guide
Report: Building The Homeland Security Network
Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Tips
Family Disaster Preparedness Tips
Preparedness Guide for Travelers (Reproducible Tips, 45
KB)
Prevention at Work
Recognizing Terrorist Activity
Unidos para fortalecer a los Estados Unidos: Guia para
preparar a los ciudadanos (PDF, 669 KB)
Crime Prevention Can Spur and Support Homeland Security
in Neighborhoods and Communities (PDF, 2.8 MB, printing and
copying disabled)
Teens Can Help -- Ways Young People Can Support
Neighborhood Prevention, Preparedness, and Response
Teens can help their neighborhoods as well as their families
prevent, prepare against, and respond to all kinds of
emergencies -- from weather disasters to terrorist attacks
on their communities. This guide gives some ideas of how.
What Teens Can Do Against Terrorism
Neighborhood Watch Gets Residents Prepared (HTML with PDF
handouts)
In support of Neighborhood Watch, this document provides
residents with the information they need to strengthen their
communities and effectively prevent and respond to the
threats of terrorism, crime, or any kind of disaster through
a Neighborhood Watch Program. (Web-Only, HTML)
Catalyst
Homeland Security Issues of the National Crime Prevention
Council's monthly newsletter, Catalyst
Neighborhood CheckUp Survey (PDF) |
