The Federal Employee Service Center IDENTITY-THEFT”

The Federal Employee Service CenterIDENTITY-THEFT” FESC ID-Theft 2011

Five Startling facts about Identity Theft ►Some 17% of U.S. consumers have fallen as Victims to Identity Theft ►Nearly 28% of American households have been affected by ID Theft as a consequence of a relations’ misfortune ►Credit Card fraud accounts for 20% of all ID Theft cases. ►Other major forms of ID Theft include selling of stolen personal information, such as Social Security and Bank account numbers. ►Debit card fraud accounts for some 16% of ID Theft cases. FESC ID-Theft 2011

What is Identity Theft? ● Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, such as your Name, Social Security number, or Credit Cardnumber, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Fact! The FTC states that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year, You or someone that you know may have experienced some form of Identity Theft. The crime takes many forms: Thieves may rent an apartment in your name Obtain a credit card Telephone account, etc….. You may not know until it is too late. You need to run an annual credit report each year! FESC ID-Theft 2011

Identity Theft is SERIOUS! ● Some Identity Theft Victims can resolve problems quickly ● Others spend Hundreds maybe Thousands to repair their good name and credit record ● Lose out on Job opportunities ● Denied loans for Education, Cars, Housing because of Negativity ● In some rare cases…. You may even be arrested. FESC ID-Theft 2011

How do thieves steal your Identity? Remember… Your name, Social Security, Other Financial Account information… Skilled Thieves may use a variety of methods ► Dumpster Diving ► Skimming – special storage device ►Phishing – Pretend to be Financial Institutions, send spam, pop-up messages ► Changing Your Address ► Old-Fashion Stealing FESC ID-Theft 2011

Information from Businesses or other Institutions ► Stealing records or information while on the job ► Bribing an employee who has access to these records ► Hacking these records ► Conning information out of employees FESC ID-Theft 2011

► Stealing your mail ► Bank statements ► Credit card offers ► New Checks ► Tax information ► Credit reports by abusing their Employers authorized access ► Posing as a land lord, employer, or someone else with legal access to your report FESC ID-Theft 2011

► Swipe your card for an actual purchase ► Attach a device to an ATM machine ► Strangers who enter you home ► Steal info thru emails ► Phone posing as legitimate companies that you have a problem with account “Phishing online” or “Pretexting by phone” FESC ID-Theft 2011

Health Care Identity Theft Medical Identity Theft is a twist on traditional identity theft, which happens when someone steals your personal information….. Like traditional Identity Theft, Medical ID Theft can affect your finances, but it can also take a toll on your health. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Health Care Identity Theft Ill Effects ● You get a bill for medical services you didn’t receive ● A debt collector contacts you about medical debt you owe ● You order a copy of your Credit Report and see Medical collection notices ● Try to make legitimate insurance claims / Health Ins. Company Denies you ● Denied Insurance because your medical records showed a condition that you didn’t have. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Health Care Identity Theft Every time a Thief uses your Identity A medical record is created by the imposter’s medical Info. Maybe created a: ► Different Blood Type ► An inaccurate history of drug or alcohol abuse ► Test results that aren’t yours! ► Or maybe a diagnosis of an illness, allergies, or condition that is not yours… FESC ID-Theft 2011

Health Care Identity Theft Prevention ► Never give out you personal or medical information over the phone! ► Always beware of “Free” healthcare services or products from providers where your ID is required ► Always Shred your Medical, Prescriptions, and Physician statements. Review them regularly ► Beware of Imposters! Might pose as an Ins. Co. Rep., Doctor’s office, Clinics, Pharmacies, Gov’t Employees FESC ID-Theft 2011

Health Care Identity Theft ►Safe Guard your Medical & Health Insurance Information ►Secure medical / Health Ins. papers Drawer /Safe/Electronic ►If asked for Id’s, Social Security #, Ins acct Info. Asked if It will be shared. ►Look at website privacies policies and read them, what others have access to the information ►If you decide to share your info online; Look for (Lock Icon) on the browser’s status or a URL that begins “https.” The S is for secure. Remember that email is not secure….. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Fact: REVIEW YOUR HEALTH RECORDS! The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) ● Rule you the right to copies of your records that are maintained by Insurance and Health care providers covered by the law. ● Generally are required to give them to you with in 30 days. ● You need to contact each provider, not like Credit Report ● Might charge a fee! Keep track of communications, including copies of postage, certified receipts, etc. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Obtain a “Copy of Disclosures” for you medical records from your Health plan and providers… The law allows you to order one Free Copy of the accounting from each provider every 12 months! The accounting is a record of: ► The date of the disclosure ► The name of the person or entity who received the information ► brief description of the information disclosed ► A brief statement of the purpose of the disclosure or copy of the “Request for It” You want to follow& create the paper trail to be sure that is it accurate. www.hhs.gov/ocr FESC ID-Theft 2011

Health Care Identity Theft Bouncing Back! • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online at www.ftccomplaintassistant.govor by calling 1-877- ID-THEFT (438-4338) TTY 1-866-653-4261 • File a report with the local Police, send copies to your Health plans Fraud Department. Notify the three credit reporting agencies. “How to File a Police Report” www.ftc.gov/idtheft/consumers/defend.html • Exercise you rights under “HIPPA” to correct errors! Write to your Carriers. You may want to include any claims in question on your statements, also your complete name and address along with a letter disputing the • information. Send “Certified” FESC ID-Theft 2011

“Fraud Alert” “Security Freeze” 1) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com Fraud Victim Assistance Division P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 2) Equifax:1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 3) Experian:1-6888-EXPERIAN ( 397-3742) www.experian.com P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 FESC ID-Theft 2011

Security Freeze (Credit Freeze) ● Is a warning to businesses or others who may use your credit file. ► Locks down your credit, blocks access, makes it less likely for thief to open up new accounts ► Placing a credit Freeze does not affect your score….. Remember! ► Credit reporting companies are not required to Share a request for a “Security Freeze” as they are with a “Fraud Alert” ► Some states Security freezes are Free for victims, in others, consumer must pay a fee of $10.00. Each credit reporting company also charges this fee. If you have a valid police report about the theft; you can usually place or lift a freeze. FESC ID-Theft 2011

ID-Theft Face-Off FESC ID-Theft 2011

Looks like trouble, Aren’t you wondering why you’re suddenly getting phone calls about overdue bills for purchases you never made possible? Someone has stolen your identity! FESC ID-Theft 2011

But don’t lose your cool: in this game, you can get your identity back- just by correctly answering a few true/false questions about Identity Theft. Each time you get an answer correct, you can start to put your identity back together. If you correctly answer six out of eight questions, your full Identity is restored! FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 1 If someone has stolen information about your financial accounts, it’s best to wait for several weeks to see what they do with it before taking any action? TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 1 If someone has stolen information about your financial accounts, it’s best to wait for several weeks to see what they do with it before taking any action? FALSE False is it! Your best step is to contact your credit card companies and close your accounts. Also, talk with your bank about whether to close other accounts or take other steps. And check out www.consumer.gov/idtheft. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 2 If the stolen information includes your Social Security Number, you can place an “Initial Fraud Alert” by calling one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 2 If the stolen information includes your Social Security Number, you can place an “Initial Fraud Alert” by calling one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. TRUE Right on! Placing such an alert can help stop someone from opening new accounts in your name. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 3 One of the best ways to protect your identity is by using online passwords only you would know – like your mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 3 One of the best ways to protect your identity is by using online passwords only you would know – like your mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. FALSE Indeed, that’s an incorrect statement. Crooks can often find this type of information about you – and then, it’s “So long, Identity!” It’s better you use random numbers and letters, and commit them to memory. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 4 The best way to get a free copy of your credit report is to file a Freedom of information Act (FOIA) Request. TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 4 The best way to get a free copy of your credit report is to file a Freedom of information Act (FOIA) Request. FALSE You are so right! The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to ask for and receive one free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 5 The name of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies are Equinox, ExperiCorps, and TransAmerica. TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 5 The name of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies are Equinox, ExperiCorps, and TransAmerica. FALSE Good Eye! The actual names are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If you’d like a free annual credit report, visit annualcreditreport.com FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 6 If the stolen information includes your driver’s license or other government-issued ID, all you need to do is create a facsimile using a recent color photo. TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 6 If the stolen information includes your driver’s license or other government-issued ID, all you need to do is create a facsimile using a recent color photo. FALSE You got it – that answer is false! You should immediately contact the agency that issued the document, and follow its procedures to cancel the stolen documents and get a replacement. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 7 Identity Theft refers only to the theft of Driver’s licenses and Name badges. TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 7 Identity Theft refers only to the theft of Driver’s licenses and Name badges. FALSE BINGO! While those are types of identity theft, the term refers to a bound variety of criminal misuses of your name, Social Security Number, and Financial information. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 8 If someone has stolen your identity, and then you notice you’re no longer receiving bills from creditors, this is a sign that your identity has been restored. TRUE FALSE FESC ID-Theft 2011

Question 8 If someone has stolen your identity, and then you notice you’re no longer receiving bills from creditors, this is a sign that your identity has been restored. FALSE You’re RIGHT! This is a false statement. If bills stop coming, it may be a sign of “Hijacking” your identity, and changing the address your bills are being sent to. FESC ID-Theft 2011

Congratulations on regaining your Identity! FESC ID-Theft 2011

Thank You!The Federal Employee Service Center“Serving Federal & Government Employees”1-(888)- 206-3352www.FederalBenefitAnalysis.org FESC ID-Theft 2011

The Federal Employee Service Center IDENTITY-THEFT”