Washington State Department of Financial Institutions “Regulating financial services to protect and educate the public and promote economic vitality.”

Washington State Department of Financial Institutions“Regulating financial services to protect and educate the public and promote economic vitality.”

Who’s in YOUR Wallet?Identity Theft

(take notes on information in red)

Make the right moves to protect yourself


Definition of ID Theft

Wrongfully acquiring and using a consumer’s personal identification, credit or account information

ID THEFT IS FRAUD


Who’s Been A Victim Of ID Theft?


What are 5 Pieces

Of Information that

ID Thieves Need to

Steal Your Identity?


Your Legal Name


Your Address


Your Birthday


Your Drivers License ID

(which has all of the previous information, except…)


Your Social Security Number


Another piece of information that banks use to identify you …

YOUR MOTHER’S MAIDEN NAME


Inside ID Thieves Toolkits


What is Phishing?


No Not Fishing

Phishing - a technique where ID thief

sends an email to solicit personal info:

Don’t Click Links In Unsolicited E-Mails


Dumpster Diving

Make The Right Move:

Shred Your Documents


Hacking

Make The Right Move:

Secure Your Computer


Scams To Watch Out For

For In 2009


WHAT IS A SCAM

Fraudulent or deceptive schemes to get consumers to part with something of value


1) Job Recruitment ScamsThey will ask for your SS#


2) SmishingSimilar to Phishing using text messages


3) Wireless Hacking


4) Skimming DevicesCheck to see if anything looks unusual around ATM machines


4) Skimming Devices


4) Skimming Devices


Stop ID Thieves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00m_w6904JM


Ways to Protect Your Personal Information


Keep tabs on your Accounts-read statements, know due dates

Leave your SSN card in a

safe place at home

Shred Documents & Mail

(Cross-Cut)


Secure Your Computer

Make Sure Operating System Security Patches Are Up To Date

Use Anti-Virus & Firewall-- Update your virus definitions

Make Sure Your Network Is Secured-- Wireless security settings

Use Strong Passwords – Change Frequently


Stop The Solicitors!

Opt Out Of Junk Mailwww.optoutprescreen.com or

1–888–567–8688

Stop Telemarketershttps://www.donotcall.gov/


Monitor Your Credit Report

Request Your Free Credit Reportwww.annualcreditreport.com

1 a year from each of the 3 bureaus

If You Notice An Error On The ReportContact and dispute it with the credit reporting agency right away!


Credit ScamsOpt out of credit card offers


What To Do If You’re A Victim?

“Don’t Try This at Home”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcvIpsf-ENY


1. Contact your Financial Institution.

2. Close the account.

3. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285Experian: 1-888-EXPERIANTransUnion: 1-800-680-7289


4. File A Police Report

5. File A ComplaintAttorney Generals Office: www.atg.wa.gov

6. Consider A Security Freeze


Security FreezesIdentity theft victims and adults ages 65 and older are able to place a freeze for free.

Consumers who aren't entitled to a free freeze pay up to $10 per bureau.

As of Sept. 1, 2008, anyone can request a security freeze.

Requesting A Freeze http://www.atg.wa.gov/freezecharts.aspx


Security Freeze “Thaw”Request a 15-Minute Thaw

Contact each CRAProvide proper identificationProvide your PIN or PasswordSet the temporary time period when your credit report may be viewed


Go to Moodle – Task 5.2 & complete the “ID Theft Websearch Assignment”

You may want to use the Teachmeaboutmoney.org/adults/identity-theft website to answer the questions


Create your own ID Theft Brochure

Using the rubric given out in class, research and inform consumers

about identity theft and what can

be done if you become a victim


Office of Crime Victims Advocacy

Voice within government for the needs of crime victims in Washington State

(800) 822-1067 Hotline