Protect Your Identity
Identity theft is a fast-growing crime. You can get caught in such a scam, either from “traditional methods” such as “Dumpster diving,” mail theft and lost/stolen wallets, or hit online through “phishing” or other scams. If that weren't enough, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse reports that at least 153,558,451 records containing sensitive personal information have been involved in security breaches (boxes of data with Social Security numbers left out with the trash, for example) so far this year. What can you do?
Here are some tips and links:
1. Notify credit agencies: Equifax fraud department: (888) 766-0008, Experian fraud department: (888-397-3742), and Trans Union fraud department: (800) 680-7289.
2. Establish a fraud alert.
3. Order your credit reports.
4. Examine your credit reports carefully.
5. Continue to monitor your credit reports.
6. Consider a security freeze.
Here are some resources:
1. States with Security Breach laws requiring consumer notification.
2. Federal Trade Commission identity theft website.
3. Free annual credit report: 877-322-8228.
4. Data breaches.
5. Scams.
6. Phishing
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