| You've heard the "buzz" about identity theft, but | | | | Here are several red flags that indicate you may be a |
| what exactly is identity theft? According to | | | | victim of identity theft: |
| Wikipedia, identity theft (or identity fraud) is the | | | | 1. You check your credit reports annually and find |
| deliberate assumption of another person's identity, | | | | there are new charge cards showing with companies |
| usually to gain access to their finances or frame | | | | you don't know. |
| them for a crime. "Dumpster diving" (someone going | | | | 2. You receive a bill for a credit card account you |
| through your trash), "shoulder surfing" (someone | | | | didn't open. |
| watching from a nearby location as you punch in your | | | | 3. You notice charges on your credit card statement |
| credit card number or ATM PIN # or eavesdropping | | | | you did not authorize. |
| as you give your personal information over the | | | | 4. You haven't received your bills or credit card |
| phone) and "phishing" (someone sending an email that | | | | statements when they normally arrive. |
| appears to be from a legitimate business) are only a | | | | 5. Your bank statements show unauthorized |
| few ways of obtaining your personal information. | | | | transfers or withdrawals. |
| Once they have obtained your personal information, | | | | 6. You receive a call from a collection agency about |
| identity thieves often change the address on your | | | | an account you never opened. |
| bills, keeping you unaware that your identity has been | | | | 7. You receive calls from businesses about |
| stolen unless you are aware of when your bills | | | | merchandise you didn't buy. |
| normally arrive in the mail, keep track of what you | | | | 8. You're denied credit because debts show up on |
| charge and check your credit reports annually. | | | | your credit reports that don't belong to you. |