An Update from Mover and Shaker Jessica Lappin: Alert: Upper East Side Identity Theft
Jessica tells us some very smart tips:
I wanted to alert you about a recent spike in identity theft on the Upper East Side. Today the NY Post reported that criminals are stealing bank account and credit card information from residents’ trash and using it to commit financial fraud in record numbers. You can read the full article here.
Below are some tips on how to fight identity theft from the Federal Trade Commission, and you can learn more by visiting their website here.
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.
Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
Protect your Social Security number.Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with. Avoid disclosing personal financial information when using public wireless connections.
Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. If you use Peer-to-Peer file sharing, check the settings to make sure you are not sharing your sensitive private files with other users. VisitOnGuardOnline.govfor more information.
Don't use an obvious passwordlike your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having work done in your house.Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
Bills that do not arrive as expected
Unexpected credit cards or account statements
Denials of credit for no apparent reason
Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
Charges on your financial statements that you don't recognizeDefend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.
Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully.The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient: Experian:1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742),TransUnion:1-800-680-7289, Equifax:1-800-525-6285. Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain.
Contact the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or charged without your okay.
File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you correct your credit report and deal with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.
