Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime in which key pieces of personal information (such as Social Security and driver's license numbers) are used fraudulently. Victims are left with a tainted reputation and the complicated task of restoring their good names.

Information from the 2006 Identity Fraud Survey Report (sponsored by the Better Business Bureau) offers background on the state of identity theft in the US:

Identity fraud trends

1. The number of adult victims of identity fraud per year has declined marginally between 2003 and 2006, from 10.1 million people to 8.9 million people, in the United States.
2. The average fraud amount per case has increased from $5,249 to $6,383 over two years. As a result, the total one-year cost of identity fraud in the United States has remained relatively flat between 2003 and 2006, increasing from $53.2 billion to $56.6 billion.
3. The vast majority of identity fraud victims (68%) incur no out-of-pocket expenses (this includes both individual and business victims).
4. Victims are spending more time to resolve identity fraud cases, which has increased from 33 hours in 2003 to 40 hours in 2006.

Means of Access

5. Most data compromise - 90 percent - takes place through traditional offline channels and not via the Internet, when the victim can identify the source of data compromise.*
6. Lost or stolen wallets, checkbooks or credit cards continue to be the primary source of personal information theft when the victim can identify the source of data compromise. (30 percent).*
7. Almost half (47 percent) of all identity theft is perpetrated by friends, neighbors, in-home employees, family members or relatives - someone known - when the victim can identify the perpetrator of data compromise.**
8. Nearly 70 percent of consumers are shredding documents, so trash as a source of data compromise is now less than 1 percent.

Note:   * 47% of victims could identify the source of the data compromise.
         ** 36% of victims could identify the person who misused their information.

Demographic differences

9. The 65+ demographic age group has the smallest rate of identity fraud victims (2.3%).
10. The 35-44 demographic age group has the highest average fraud amount ($9,435). (Note: victims' age was not found to be statistically related to Internet usage as compared to traditional types of fraud.)

The Federal Trade Commission serves as clearinghouse to receive consumer complaints and provide assistance. It provides excellent information on the issue and how to protect yourself.

1.  ID Theft (a general resource and place to file a complaint)

2. Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft (information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems)

Identity Safety Tips

·        Never reply to unsolicited e-mails concerning company or personal bank accounts and do not click on a link within the message.

·        Contact business or government agency’s that may be requesting information to verify legitimacy. Use a phone number or Web site that you know to be legitimate.

·        Never submit your Social Security number, passwords or PINs via an e-mail message or fax.

·        Use antivirus software and security patches and update them regularly to protect system software.

·        Check monthly statements, bills and invoices to verify all transactions. Notify your financial institution or the retailer immediately if you detect erroneous or suspicious transactions.

·        Shred sensitive business financial documents and receipts.

·        Completely destroy data on the hard drive of computers you plan to dispose of or sell. It's not enough to delete data from the computer's memory; use specially designed software programs to totally erase data.

·        Review your credit report each year. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2005 required the major credit bureaus to provide one free copy of your credit report each year. Review your reports to make sure that your basic financial information is accurate and have not been misappropriated by thieves.

The central location for getting reports from the three primary credit bureaus is annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228. Ignore sites that promise you reports–they’re just trying to sell you something.

Alternatively you may review one report every four months, allowing you to catch new activity and be sure any corrections are made, by going to each credit bureau directly.

      Equifax.com, 800-685-1111

      Experian.com, 888-397-3742

      Transunion.com, 800-888-4213

 

For more information

Department of Justice

Criminal Division, Fraud Section www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud.html

Identity Theft and Fraud www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

Internet Fraud www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/Internet.htm

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

“When a Criminal's Cover Is Your Identity” www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsum00/idthft.html

“Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams” The FDIC has produced a multimedia presentation provides information on steps consumers should take to secure their computer and protect themselves from identity theft, as well as actions consumers should take if they become a victim of identity theft. To order free copies of the DVD, visit http://www2.fdic.gov/guard/ or call 1-877-275-3342. The presentation is also on the FDIC's website at: http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/guard

ONGUARD ONLINE CAMPAIGN

The federal government and the technology industry have teamed up to create OnGuardOnline.gov, a new site to help computer users guard against phishing and Internet fraud, secure their computers, and protect their personal information. The helpful content at OnGuardOnline.gov includes tips, articles, videos, and quizzes. It tells where to report spam or scam, and how to sign up for periodic computer security alerts. And OnGuard Online's phishing, spyware, and spam scams quizzes will help users figure out how savvy they are about computer safety. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is encouraging organizations to share the tips at OnGuardOnline.gov with their employees, customers, members, and constituents. To visit the site, go http://www.onguardonline.gov/index.html

Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration provides identity theft hotline numbers, information on reclaiming identity, Social Security card replacement; information on correcting records and how to obtain a new Social Security number: www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm

Department of Education, Information on preventing identity theft and other types of financial aid scams. www.ed.gov/misused

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Addresses phishing. Internet Pirates Are Trying to Steal Your Information

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Identity Theft Brochure

Identity Theft Resource Center Contains a variety of resources, including tips on coping with the stress. www.idtheftcenter.org/

AARP, Preventing Identity Theft Contains informative articles and a free online seminar. www.aarp.org/learntech/personal_finance/identity_theft_intro.html

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Resources, stories of identity theft victims. www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm

Better Business Bureau, Identity Theft Site: www.bbbonline.org/idtheft/

 

Wyoming Information

Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, the Division for Victim Services provides information to assist victims of crimes. Information and complaint forms are available at 800-438-5799.

Identity Theft Laws in Wyoming (Wyoming Statutes)

Article 5 Computer Crimes
legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/titles/title06/c03a05.htm

Article 6 Fraud
legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/titles/title06/c03a06.htm

Article 9 Theft of Identity
legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/titles/title06/c03a09.htm

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