CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
In the course of a busy day, you may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail tax returns, change cell phone service providers or apply for a credit card.
Chances are these everyday transactions are done without a second's thought, but an identity thief is always planning and always looking for an easy opportunity.
Identity theft is a serious crime, and it can happen to anyone. Victims of identity theft can spend months or years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess. They may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they did not commit. Humiliation, anger, and frustration can plague victims as they navigate the process of rescuing their identities, which they have often built over a lifetime.
Despite best efforts to manage the flow of personal information, skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to gain access to personal data. The various ways thieves use to gain information include stealing personal mail, bank and credit card statements, new checks, tax information, rummaging through trash or by stealing credit or debit card numbers. Also, identity thieves may steal personal information through e-mail or phone posing as a representative from a legitimate company, claiming there are problems with an account. This practice is known as online phishing or pre-texting by phone.
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself against theft.
· Deter identity thieves by safeguarding personal information, and never release your personal information carelessly.
· Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring financial accounts and billing statements.
· Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it. Awareness is an effective weapon against many forms of identity theft. Be aware of how information is stolen, and what you can do to protect yours. Monitor your personal information to uncover any problems quickly, and know what to do when you suspect that your identity has been stolen.
Active-duty members away from their home station, may place an active-duty alert on their credit report to help minimize the risk of identity theft while deployed.
A credit report contains information on where members live; how they pay their bills; and whether they have been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Creditors, insurers, employers and other businesses use the information in credit reports to evaluate applications for credit and for many other purposes.
Unfortunately, identity thieves may use personal information to open new accounts in a member's name. Inaccurate or fraudulent information could affect the ability to get credit, insurance, or housing, now or in the future.
However, by placing an active-duty alert, businesses must verify member's identities before issuing credit in their name. This makes it difficult for identity thieves to use stolen information to apply for credit.
Active-duty alerts on a credit report last for one year, unless it's requested the alert be removed sooner. If a deployment lasts longer, another alert may be requested.
By being armed with the knowledge to protect oneself and by being proactive, it can make identity thieves' jobs much more difficult. Help fight identity theft by educating friends, family and members of the community. The Federal Trade Commission has prepared a collection of easy-to-use materials about identity theft. For more information, visit the following site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/deter-detect-defend.html