Americans are more concerned about identity theft than unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by Star Systems. Nine out of ten Americans demand new federal legislation, while two-thirds say
financial services industry needs to do a better job of verifying identity of customers who open bank accounts (66 percent) and credit card accounts (72 percent).
Some 5.6 percent of respondents reported being victims of identity theft, which translates to 12 million people. When debit and credit card fraud and identity theft were combined, close to 15.9 percent of consumers say they have been victim of one of these crimes. (Source: Star Systems, 2003)
For most of us, using your debit or credit card to make a purchase has become an every day aspect of life. Many of us do it every day and feel safe in doing so.
But it is far from safe. People with your debit or credit card information may make purchases with your card information over telephone, via Internet, or at a local retail store.
As we moved to a cashless system of transactions by debit or credit card, a relatively simple crime niche has grown – identity theft and fraud.
Some law enforcement authorities are not pursuing crime in a coordinated and cooperative fashion. Thus, a situation has grown that affords people who perpetrate such acts of theft and fraud, act with a degree of confidents that they will not get caught.
What can you do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud?
Here is a list of actions that you can take to avoid becoming a victim of identity crimes.
1. Never throw receipts or statements away that have personal information on them. The trash is greatest repository of information for identity thief. Even better, shred everything that has identifying information on it (transaction receipts, etc.).
2. Pay to have an unlisted telephone number in your local telephone directory.
3. Take as much identification off of your personal checks and driver’s license as possible. Thus, no home addresses, phone numbers, or social security numbers on personal checks. Last only your last name and first initial rather than your full name. You want a retail clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a check.
Most states now provide a photo ID on all new automobile drivers licenses issued. If you do not have one, conceder getting your licenses renewed now to get a photo ID for identification purposes. Do not put your social security number on your driver’s license.
4. Check your bank accounts for suspicious activity everyday, this can be done online via Internet.
5. Have your middle initial removed from all public documentation if possible. Middle initials help identity thieves narrow down their searches for victims.
