Your wallet is gone, your social security number’s been pulled from an online application, your phone number was picked up by a bystander while you were in line at the airport. There are thousands of ways that “Susie Smith” becomes “Susie Smith” all over again; criminals opening credit accounts, stealing from bank accounts, circumventing payments and more, and it can be stopped, you can be prepared.
Firstcard.com interviewed a United States Secret Service agent to get the answers to the most popular questions regarding this important issue. (For security purposes, the Secret Service Agent’s identity has not been disclosed)
FIRSTCARD.COM: Is identity theft as rampant as we hear?
A: With 15 million victims, a new case every two to three seconds, reported in 2006, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States.
FIRSTCARD.COM: What is identity theft?
A: Identity theft ranges from one time usage of a credit card that isn’t the perpetrators, to opening accounts for credit cards, utilities, and health services. Eighty-five percent of the victims find out about their problem after receiving a bill with questionable charges.
FIRSTCARD.COM: What does it take to clear one’s name?
A: Once you are “in the system” it’s a long road to get out. Victims report months and years of repair work to their name and credit history which includes filing police reports, identity theft affadavits, and working with each the three major credit bureaus, as well as all credit and banking institutions of association.
FIRSTCARD.COM: How do the perpetrators get the information they need?
A: The instances of identity theft have increased hundreds-fold in the last few years, with more and more business and purchasing beyond done online, and even with personal information that is given over the phone. Phishing scams, which unfortunately too many people still fall for, are a leading source of information. Emails and phone calls from “officials,” suggesting that you’ve won a prize, tax refunds that await you, that you’re interest rates will be lowered, that a bank account in your name has been found, and so many other “stories,” are just not true. If it’s “official,” you’ll get a letter in the mail and even then, suspicious is the first thing you ought to be. So many times, more often than not, this is how information is passed on.
FIRSTCARD.COM: How to prevent identity theft?
A: Use a shredder! Don’t just rip your bills or credit card offers in half – shred them. As there are many cases of mail theft, we also highly recommended that people bring in their mail as soon as possible each day.
FIRSTCARD.COM: What is the government doing about this problem?
A: Law enforcement agencies, at every level; local, state and federal, are investigating the issues however, unfortunately, more criminals get away than are caught. Of course this is of high priority and it’s something we are working toward every day.