Identity Theftpresented by

Bureau of Consumer Protection

What it isHow it happensWarning SignsHow to protect yourselfWhat to do

What is Personally Identifiable Information?

Identity TheftConsumer Sentinel Network Complaint Categories

January 1 – December 31, 2017Rank Category # of Reports %

1 Debt Collection 608,535 22.74%

2 Identity Theft 371,061 13.87%

3 Imposter Scams 347,829 13.00%

4 Telephone and Mobile Services 149,578 5.59%

5 Bank and Lenders 149,316 5.58%

6 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 142,870 5.34%

7 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 126,387 4.72%

8 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers, Report Users 107,473 4.02%

9 Auto Related 86,289 3.23%

10 Television and Electronic Media 47,456 1.77%

FactsIdentity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States

Every two seconds someone becomes a victim

There were 1,579 reported data breaches in 2017

Those affected by a data breach are three times more likely to become victims of identity theft

Types of Identity Theft

FinancialChildMedical Criminal

Identity Theft in WisconsinConsumer Sentinel Network Complaint Categories

January 1 – December 31, 2017

8%

12%

13%

23%

37%

Loan or Lease Fraud

Phone or Utilities Fraud

Bank Fraud

Employment orTax-Related Fraud

Credit Card Fraud

Identity Theft by AgeConsumer Sentinel Network Complaint Categories

January 1 – December 31, 2017

67,125

133,268

141,581

13,852

60 andover

40-59

20-49

19 andUnder

Potential Harm

Direct financial lossesDamage to financial status or credit scoreDenial of employment or housingPossible civil judgments or criminal recordTime and cost to repair damageEmotional harm

How it Happens

Dumpster diving / stolen mailSocial networkingData breachesSkimming devicesPhishing scamsStolen wallet / phoneScams

Data Breaches….

A data breach is an incident in which sensitive, protected or confidential data has been viewed, stolen or used by an individual unauthorized to do so.

Common Scams

Grandparent scam

IRS scam

Tech support scam

Warning SignsEarning StatementUnauthorized charges or lines of creditDenied creditUnsolicited change of addressExplanation of BenefitsNotice from IRS Suspicious phone calls

Prevention Tips

Do Not Call ShredPost OfficeOpt-outWallet

Prevention Tips

Wi-FiSocial Security NumberStrong passwordsSocial networking

Fraud Alert and Credit Freeze

Fraud Alert Credit Freeze

• One call• Free• Good for 90 days• Renew• Extra verification• Can extend to 7 years

w/police report

• Write each credit reporting agency (all 3)

• $10 for each credit bureau • Fees waived with police report• Permanent-effective until thawed• Blocks all new credit• $10 fee to “thaw” freeze

If an Identity Theft Victim

Report fraudulent charges or accountsCheck credit reportsFraud Alert or Security FreezePolice reportBureau of Consumer ProtectionFederal Trade Commission

Questions?

Consumer Protection Hotline1-800-422-7128

datcp.wi.gov

@WIConsumer