Stopping identity thieves in their tracks

By Gina M. Barry, Esq. Associate, Bacon & Wilson, P.C. Special to PRIME Identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. Many people have fallen victim to identity thieves, and the number of victims is growing as thieves become savvier with experience. How they get your info Identity thieves steal wallets and purses containing identification, credit and bank cards. They steal your mail, targeting bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, telephone calling cards and tax information. They may even complete a "change of address" form to divert your mail to another location. They may access your records, find personal information that you share on the Internet or obtain your personal information from applications. They also often rummage through trash for personal data in a practice known as "dumpster diving." Some, posing landlords or employers, even obtain credit reports. How they "become" you Once your information is obtained, the thief will normally call your credit card issuer and change the mailing address on your account. The thief then charges on your account, and since the bills are being sent to the new address, you are none the wiser. Identity thieves may open a new credit card account or take out loan in your name. When no payments are made, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Identity thieves may establish telephone or cell phone service in your name or open a bank account in your name and write bad checks. Don't become a victim! Preventing identity theft requires vigilance and diligence. Before revealing any personal information, determine how it will be used and whether it will be shared with others. Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact, and even then, be very cautious. The legitimate organizations with which you do business have your information and will not ask you for it. Be aware that identity thieves often pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers or government agencies to get you to reveal personal information. Guard your mail from theft. Always deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes, rather than leaving items in your mailbox. Also, always promptly remove mail from your mailbox after it has been delivered, and if you are planning to be away from home, call the U.S. Postal Service to request a vacation hold. Maintain a record of the billing cycles for all of your accounts. If a bill does not arrive as expected, contact the creditor. A missing credit card bill could mean a thief has taken over your account. Establish passwords for all accounts whenever possible. When selecting a password, avoid using easily available information or a series of consecutive numbers. Also, minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry to what you actually need. Be cautious about where you leave personal information in your home, especially if you employ household help or are having work done on your home. A fireproof safe is recommended for storage of personal information at home. To thwart a "dumpster diver," shred your receipts, copies of applications, insurance forms, physician statements, bank checks and statements, expired charge cards, and credit offers before discarding them. In fact, you should shred any items containing your name and address. It is best to use a "cross cut" shredder as the pieces are much more difficult, if not impossible, to put back together. Make it a habit to order a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies every year to ensure that it is accurate. As a resident of Massachusetts, you are entitled to one free credit report per year. For ease, maintain a form letter that you can mail each year with your request. If your identity gets stolen . Should you find yourself a victim of identity theft, contact the fraud departments of all three credit bureaus, report the theft, and request that a "fraud alert"be placed on your file. A "fraud alert" will notify credit companies that they should verify any new credit applications prior to their approval. Contacting the three major credit reporting companies is relatively simple. Their names and telephone numbers are as follows: Equifax: 1.800.525.6285 Experian: 1.888.397.3742 Trans Union: 1.800.680.7289 For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, you should contact the security department of the appropriate creditor, report the activity and close the account. You should also file a report with your local police. You should also contact the Identity Theft Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338) to report the theft. Counselors at the clearinghouse will take your complaint and advise you on how to deal with the credit-related problems that will result from the theft. Lastly, you should complete an ID Theft Affidavit, which provides a model form that can be used to report information to many companies, thereby simplifying the process of alerting companies about the theft. Identity theft is real, and preventative measures offer the best protection. Be vigilant and diligent. Faithful adherence to these measures will halt identity thieves in their tracks. Gina M. Barry is an Associate with the law firm of Bacon & Wilson, P.C., Attorneys at Law. She is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, the Estate Planning Council, and the Western Massachusetts Elder Care Professionals Association. She concentrates her practice in the areas of Estate and Asset Protection Planning, Probate Administration and Litigation, Guardianships, Conservatorships and Residential Real Estate. Gina may be reached at (413) 781-0560 or gbarry@bacon-wilson.com.