Veterans Identity Theft

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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT THIS IS IDENTITY THEFT?

Someone else is using your personally identifying information, such as your name, Social Security Number, bank account information or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

o Mail Fraud: A number of schemes which misrepresent the identity of the sender delivering forged documents or bogus requests for personal info are often        perpetrated by mail. Examples include sending bogus forms which claim to be from taxation authorities or prize clearinghouses, land sales, phony advertising practices, insurance ripoffs and fraudulent charitable organizations using mail fraud charges. Mail theft is also a type a of identity theft. Mail delivered to a mailbox is at risk. To reduce this risk mail should be help at the post office when someone is traveling and locks could be put on mailboxes for protection.

o Tax Scams: Scammers make phone calls, send letters or emails claiming to be a legitimate company such as the IRS, or another government entity or financial institution. Veterans are tricked into sharing their account passwords, social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers. They tell veterans that they are eligible for a ‘special’ refund, tax break or other benefit, but they need to share their personal and financial information in order to receive it. This is called phishing and is illegal. The IRS does not require taxpayers to complete special forms once the proper tax forms have been submitted.

Crimes may take several forms, such as obtaining government documents, opening a credit card, renting an apartment, or conducting other financial transactions in your name.


HOW CAN CONSUMERS PROTECT THEMSELVES?

Protect your personal and financial information. Shred mail or any other documents that contain sensitive information, and be very cautious about sharing that information with anyone else.

Be smart about your activities online – you should very rarely enter any personal information on a Web site unless you’re absolutely sure the site is legitimate. Do not use public computers or public wi-fi connections to conduct financial business online.

Keep your computer system and browser software up to date and set to the highest security level you can tolerate. Use virus scan programs. Be aware of privacy policies for internet sites that you visit and be sure that sites are secure when transacting business online. Don’t create obvious passwords and try not to write them down or at least store them in a secure location away from your computer.

Monitor your accounts and bank statements regularly and check your credit report on a regular basis to stay on top of irregular charges or financial transactions that you didn’t authorize. You can request 1 free copy of your credit report from each of the 3 credit reporting agencies per year at www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

Never respond to emails requesting to “verify” your personal information. Your bank, credit card company, online payment system, the IRS or similar organizations will never call or email you requesting your confidential information. They already have it on file.


HOW TO REPORT IF YOU’VE BEEN A VICTIM

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): If you think you’ve been the victim of identity theft, file an ID Theft Complaint online (www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov).

Local police department: You should also immediately contact your local police department and file an Identity Theft Report, as well as provide a copy of your ID Theft Complaint. This detailed Identity Theft Report entitles you to certain legal rights with credit card companies and credit reporting agencies, and may help you recoup some of your losses. Click here to obtain the contact information for your local police department.

Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review your credit reports carefully.

o 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:

Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian 1-888-Experian (397-3742)
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289

o Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you did not open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain

o Close accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently

o Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow-up in writing, with copies of supporting documents