2006 Essential Guide to Protection from Identity Theft ? Federal Information on Financial and Cyber...

This up-to-date and comprehensive electronic book on CD-ROM presents an authoritative library of documents and publications covering all aspects of identity theft ? federal information on financial and cyber security, on-line safety, internet scams, web and email phishing, and credit reports, with material from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other federal agencies. The FTC reports: Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years ? and thousands of dollars ? cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn?t commit. Humiliation, anger, and frustration are among the feelings victims experience as they navigate the process of rescuing their identity. How Identity Theft Occurs - Despite your best efforts to manage the flow of your personal information or to keep it to yourself, skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to gain access to your data. How Identity Thieves Get Your Personal Information: They get information from businesses or other institutions by: stealing records or information while they?re on the job; bribing an employee who has access to these records; hacking these records; conning information out of employees; they may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks, and tax information; they may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public trash dumps in a practice known as ?dumpster diving.? They may get your credit reports by abusing their employer?s authorized access to them, or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who may have a legal right to access your report. They may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information in a data storage device in a practice known as ?skimming.? They may swipe your card for an actual purchase, or attach the device to an ATM machine where you may enter or swipe your card. They may steal your wallet or purse. They may steal personal information they find in your home. They may steal personal information from you through email or phone by posing as legitimate companies and claiming that you have a problem with your account. This practice is known as ?phishing? online, or ?pretexting? by phone. How Identity Thieves Use Your Personal Information: They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there?s a problem. They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the credit cards and don?t pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report. They may establish phone or wireless service in your name. They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account. They may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, and drain your bank account. They may file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they?ve incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction. They may buy a car by taking out an auto loan in your name. They may get identification such as a driver?s license issued with their picture, in your name. Topics covered include: How Identity Theft Occurs - If Your Personal Information Has Been Lost or Stolen; ID THEFT Victims: Immediate Steps - Placing Fraud Alerts on Your Credit Report; Closing Accounts; Filing a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission; The Identity Theft Report; Tips For Organizing Your Case; Chart Your Course of Action - Resolving Specific Problems - Bank Accounts and Fraudulent Withdrawals; Bankruptcy Fraud; Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports; Credit Cards; Crimin  more