 IDENTITY THEFT
By Tony Martin
IDENTITY THEFT
AND
INSURANCE PROTECTION
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the Nation today. With the rapid growing use of the Internet by almost every insurance company, bank, major corporation, and government agency, it has become critical that the public take a very pro-active approach to protecting their personal identity.
Recently the Arizona State Legislature was successful in getting implemented, a law, Arizona Revised Statute 44-1373, restricting the use of social security numbers. This law went into effect January 1, 2005.
The law basically states that the use of a social security number for identification purposes is illegal. It also states illegal to transmit the social security number through the mail or the Internet. If any entity is using your social security number as an identification number, you have the right to send the request in writing to give you another number for identification. Government agencies may still use your social security number for identification but they have restrictions on transmitting and mailing your number.
If you think you have a possible breach in your identity, the following organizations may be contacted for help.
Ø The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the federal agency responsible for receiving and processing complaints by people who believe they may be victims of identity theft. Trained counselors will provide information on the steps you should take to resolve problems and repair damage to your credit record. Certain cases may be referred to law enforcement agencies, regulatory agencies or private entities that can help. Call toll-free 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338). The FTC also maintains the US government’s central Web site for information about identity theft at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Go there to fill out an online consumer complaint form or link to educational materials.
Ø The three major credit bureaus. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus, and ask them to place a fraud alert in your file, so that lenders and other users of credit reports will be careful before starting or changing accounts in your name. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be notified automatically to place fraud alerts, and all three credit bureaus will send you your credit report free of charge. Review the credit reports to make sure they are accurate. The special toll-free numbers for the fraud departments are:
Equifax (800) 525-6285
Experian (888) 397-3742
Trans Union (800) 680-7289
Ø Your banks, credit card companies or any other financial institution that may need to know. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department, and follow up with a letter. If necessary, close old accounts and open new ones, select new passwords and "PIN" numbers. Your call also alerts the financial institution to a possible scam that may be targeting other customers. Ask that your financial institution will do to make sure no one can gain access to your accounts or change the statement mailing address. For your credit card accounts, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card. If you don’t plan to close your account, at the very least you should carefully monitor your monthly statements for unauthorized charges and notify your card issuer to be on the lookout for any unusual account activity.
Ø The Social Security Administration. Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271 to report that your social security number may have been stolen. You can also contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to verify the accuracy of any earnings that may have been reported on your behalf.
Ø The Motor Vehicle Division. If you have a driver’s license, notify the Motor Vehicle Division in your area and explain that your personal information may have been stolen. As MVD what procedures it has in place to ensure that someone else does not get a driver’s license in your name.
Our hope is that this information will alert all association members to the growing need to protect the way they use social security numbers in their business. We also hope that you now have a growing awareness that any information transmitted over the Internet or through the mail is not secure unless sent in encrypted forms. |
