Personal Safety Tips Engrave your possessions with your driver's license number and make a written inventory. Take photographs of jewelry, silver, antiques, art, and any additional items you do not engrave. Keep a copy of your inventory and photographs in a deposit box or somewhere away from your home. Update your inventory regularly. Watch out for all vehicles, not just vans and trucks. Be prepared to obtain the license number of a suspicious vehicle. Keep a pencil and paper in the car. If you see a prowling car in your neighborhood, take down the license number. Ask your children to be alert for suspicious vehicles while they are out and around the neighborhood. Patrol the area whenever you leave and return home. Street activity is a very good deterrent to crime. Become familiar with your neighbor's cars. Any car that does not belong in your neighborhood should be considered a possible suspect. Report suspicious vehicles to the Sheriff’s Office. Remember, it is the Sheriff’s Office's job to investigate; yours is only to report. Do not give out any information about your home or family over the phone. Do not tell strangers when you will be away. Be suspicious of anyone you do not know. Put large house numbers on the mailbox. This helps in locating your home in an emergency situation. Do not advertise that you are living alone. Single women should list their names in the phone directory with only the first and middle initial. Never open your door to strangers. Install a peephole so you can properly identify strangers before opening your door. Do not be afraid to demand proper identification. Put a peephole in your door for small children. Do not put a name tag on your house keys. Do not give keys to repairmen. Separate auto keys and house keys to avoid duplication. Never leave a key under a doormat, in the mailbox, or hanging from a nail. Burglars know all the "secret hiding places." Install double cylinder deadbolt locks on all exterior doors six inches above or below the present locks. If you use the deadbolt lock when you at home, leave the key in the lock to prevent your house from becoming a firetrap. Sliding glass doors should be secured with a pin-type locking device or "Charlie bar." Window gates and special window locks that can be opened only with a key are effective; however, if you do install these locks, leave the key in them when you are home. Do not let your house become a firetrap while trying to protect it from burglars. Keep garage doors closed and locked. An empty garage is a reasonably good sign the homeowner is away. Lock up any tools that may be used for prying or breaking. While away, make your home look and sound occupied. To create the appearance that someone is home, use a timer to turn lights on and off at normal times. A radio playing adds to the illusion that the home is occupied. Your home's exterior should be well-lit. Do no leave blind spots where burglars can hide. When in doubt, a thief looks for an easier target. Identity Theft - How They Do It First, they steal your identity by... Going through your mail or trash (known as Dumpster Diving), looking for bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, tax information, utility bills, charge receipts, cancelled checks and other paperwork that may contain any of your personal and/or financial information. Stealing personal information from your wallet or purse such as identification, credit, or bankcards. Completing change-of-address forms to redirect your mail. This can be done by a visit to the Post Office or by changing YOUR ADDRESS on any financial institutions that you may receive mail from, to include pre-approved credit applications. Obtaining your credit report by posing as someone who has a lawful right to the information. Acquiring personal information you share on unsecured Internet sites or from an unprotected computer (no anti virus or firewall protection). Buying personal information about you from an inside source -- for example, a store employee that gets your information from a credit application or by "skimming" your credit card information when you make a purchase or at an ATM. Getting your personnel records at work. The thieves will then use your personal information by… Whenever possible, use your existing credit card or bank accounts. Opening new credit card accounts using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquency is reported on your credit report. Obtaining utility services in your name at places such as a vacant house which is often used as drug sales establishments. Establishing phone or cellular service in your name. Opening a bank account in your name and writing bad checks on the account. Counterfeiting checks or debit cards, and draining your bank account. Buying cars by taking out auto loans in your name. Calling your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, changing the address on the account. Bills get sent to the new address, so you don't realize there's a problem until you check your credit report. Filing for bankruptcy using your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under your name.   Identity Theft - Ways to Prevent ID Theft Protect and be aware of where your personal identification is kept and/or who has it. This includes work, away and even at home. Keep your purse, wallet and financial documents (credit cards, checkbook, etc) on or near your person, or secure them when they are not in your direct control. This includes work, the gym, doctor’s office, while visiting (even with family or friends), and even at your home if you have roommates, service people, visitors or prospective home buyers when your not home. Limit the number of personal identification and credit cards that you carry, memorize your PIN numbers and Social Security number, and do not carry them in your purse or wallet. Treat your checks and credit cards as if they were cash. Cancel any unneeded credit cards. Promptly sign your credit cards when you receive them and mark on them “Check ID” near the signature. Do not put your Date of Birth, phone number(s), driver’s license number, or social security number on your checks. Also do not use any of these numbers as your password for any of your financial accounts, email accounts or any other accounts that need passwords. Never give out personal information about you, a family member, a friend or a fellow co-worker in response to unsolicited offers by phone, mail, Internet, or in person unless you are sure who is requesting the information. ALSO, ask how your information will be used and if it will be shared with others. Can you choose to keep it confidential? Shred all discarded paperwork containing any personal identification information to include but not limited to; pre-approved credit, loan or mortgage applications, charge receipts, other receipts, insurance forms, bank and credit card statements, cash advanced checks, tax bills and documents, utility bills, old driver’s license or any other documents that may contain any information about you, your family and/or business accounts. This prevents “Dumpster Diving” by thieves. When mailing bills, tax documents, or other mail containing any personal information, a check, credit card information, your signature, etc., mail it from a Post Office collection box or at your local Post Office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after it is delivered. If you will be gone, even for a day, cancel mail delivery or ask a trusted person to retrieve your mail. Consider having new check orders delivered to your financial institution or Post Office Box where you can pick them up, instead of your mailbox. When using an ATM machine, gas pump, self check out or similar device, be mindful of your surroundings. Cover your hand as you input your PIN number. Thieves may monitor your activities from afar using binoculars, or by placing a small camera in a location that can view you input your PIN. This is often done in conjunction with a device that will obtain the information from your ATM or credit card when you insert it into the electronic device. By shielding your input on the keypad, you will deter if not prevent the thief from obtaining your PIN number. Review in detail ALL of your monthly statements for unauthorized use, including but not limited to; credit cards, bank accounts, utilities, mortgage statement, retirement account, social security statements, tax statements or any other statements containing your personal information. Keep track of your billing cycles to make sure that you receive all of your monthly statements. A missing statement could mean that an identity thief has taken over your credit account and changed your address to cover his/her tracks. If you use the Internet and provide your personal information, whether it is for purchases, opening accounts or paying on accounts, CONFIRM that the company or entity you are dealing with is a legitimate company. Check the “Address” bar where the http:// is located. Confirm in the address bar there is an “s” (https://), and a small padlock that is closed or “locked” in the lower right corner of the web browser. This is an indication that the website should be a “secure” site. Further, when dealing with a website, check to see if it lists a phone number and address for the business so you can check with the Better Business Bureau or another agency to confirm their existence and reliability. Be ever mindful of security when using your computer or accessing the Internet even if you do not use online financial accounts. If you keep personal data on your computer, a “Hacker” could access your computer if proper safeguards are not taken, and they can retrieve your personal information. At a minimum, you should have up to date Anti-virus protection and a personal “firewall” installed on your computer. The subscriptions and definitions for the Anti virus and firewall protection should be kept current. REMEMBER – if all your passwords, PIN’s, account numbers, etc. are stored in one location, it only takes one successful try to take everything. Even if you take every precaution you may think of and are successful in your endeavors, your identity can still be stolen if; a financial institution you deal with has a breach of security such as being “hacked”, an employee of a business you have used a credit card at keeps your information, an employee at a financial institution you deal with misuses their position, or many other ways beyond your control. To this end, you must be ever vigilant and keep track of your credit history and rating. As of March 1, 2005, you can obtain one free annual credit report . You can request your free report: Online: https://www.annualcreditreport.com Phone: 1-877-322-8228, or Mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 Order and review your personal credit report at least annually, if not more frequently. It is sometimes beneficial to order a credit report from each one of the three credit companies due to reporting inconsistencies that sometimes occur. The three main credit-reporting companies are Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Make sure that each report is accurate and includes only the activities that you have authorized. ACTIVE DUTY ALERTS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL – If you are a member of the military and away from your usual duty station, you can place an active duty alert on your credit reports while you are deployed. Active duty alerts are good for one year. If your deployment is longer, you can place another alert on your credit report. This will remove you from the credit reporting companies marketing list for pre-approved credit card reports for two years unless you ask to be placed back on the list. To opt out of receiving credit offers in the mail, call: 1-888-5OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688. To be removed from Promotional lists – Contact the following: Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service Direct Marketing Association P.O. Box 643 Carmen, NY 10512 Web Site Telephone Preference Service P.O. Box 1559 Carmen, NY 10512 Identity Theft - Things You Can Do Make a police report. Report the crime to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction with your case. This is where your identity was used, where the merchandise or product was delivered, or where you live. Provide as much documentation as possible at the time of the report. Get a copy of your police report and keep the report number available so that you can provide it to your creditors when they request verification. NOTE: some police agencies may resist taking reports on these types of crimes due to jurisdiction, and lack of knowledge of the Identity Theft law. Michigan Law MCL 750.285, April 1, 2001. If the officer does refuse to take a report, then contact his/her superior. You need this report to assist you in trying to clear your financial credit name. Immediately contact all three of the Credit Bureaus Fraud unit and request a “Fraud Alert” be placed on your accounts. Also report to these Credit Bureaus in writing of the same information. Send this information by Certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of all of these documents with your records. You may need them in trying to clear your credit name. Fill out a Victim statement or “Fraud Affidavit”. Keep a copy and send it certified mail with return receipt requested to all of the financial institutions involved in the ID Theft and Credit Bureaus. Ask how long the ‘Fraud Alert” will be posted on your account and how to extend it if necessary. You should know that: These Fraud Alerts may not entirely stop new fraudulent accounts from being opened in your name. Request in writing to receive a free copy of your credit report every few months so that you are able to monitor any new activities occurring without your authorization. Request in writing the names, phone numbers and any other information available of credit grantors with whom fraudulent accounts in your name have been opened. Ask that all inquires that have been made due to the fraudulent access be removed. Request that the credit bureaus notify those who have received your credit report in the last six months (two years for employment) to alert those inquirers of the disputed and fraudulent/inaccurate information. Contact creditors. Immediately contact by both phone and in writing, all creditors with whom accounts were opened or used fraudulently. Banks and creditors may ask that you complete a “Notarized Fraud Affidavit”, which could become costly. The law does not require you to notarize an affidavit to a creditor. Obtain replacement cards with new account numbers for existing accounts that you believe have been used without your permission. Request that old accounts be processed as “ACCOUNT CLOSED AT CONSUMER’S REQUEST”. If your account is listed as “ Card lost or stolen”, it may be interpreted as blaming you for the loss. Continue to monitor your credit card bills for evidence of new activity. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You may call 877-438-4338 (877-IDTHEFT) or contact them online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. The FTC keeps a database of information on ID theft and also has a comprehensive guide you may download. Report stolen checks, ATM card(s) or fraudulent bank accounts to the appropriate financial institution. Place a “stop payment” on outstanding checks if necessary. Close your checking and/or savings account(s) and obtain new account number(s). Create new passwords. Do not use common names, numbers, telephone numbers, family or pet names, your family member’s Date of Birth, social security number, house address, mother’s maiden name, etc. when creating passwords-use a combination of letters and numbers. Contact the local Postal Inspector’s Office. Immediately notify them if you suspect a change in address was filed without your authorization. Also notify the local Postmaster. If you suspect that your Social Security number may have been fraudulently used, notify the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271. Order a copy of your Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for any fraudulent activities. If your passport is suspected of being involved, Notify the Passport office in writing to watch for anyone ordering your passport without your authorization. Report passport theft at http://travel.state.gov/ or call 202-955-0430. Contact your phone company and report any stolen calling cards, fraudulent charges and fraudulent accounts that may have been opened in your name. Cancel any open accounts and open a new one in its place. Contact the Secretary of State’s office to report your driver’s license being used fraudulently. Check if a duplicate license has been issued. If you suspect that your license number has been obtained fraudulently, fill out the Secretary of State’s complaint form and send supporting documentation to begin the process for a Fraud investigation to be initiated. To request major check verification companies to notify businesses not to accept your checks, call: Telecheck at 1-800-710-9898 or 1-800-927-0188, Certegy, Inc. at 1-800-437-5120. To find out if someone has been passing your bad checks, call SCAN: 1-800-262-7771 KEEP A LOG OF ALL: conversations including the date, time, phone number(s), person’s name, organization and brief description of the content of that conversation when dealing with companies that have your identification and/or credit. Whenever sending correspondence, keep copies of all letters and documents. Send all correspondence by certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep all documentation. Identity Theft - Credit Bureaus Equifax – www.equifax.com To order a report, call: 800-685-1111 or write P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA. 30374-0241 To report Fraud, call: 800-525-6885 and write P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, Ga. 30374 Experian – http://www.experian.com/consumer/index3.html To order a report: call: 888-397-3742 (Experian) or Write: P.O. Box 2104, Allen, Texas 75013 To Report Fraud, call: 888-397-3792 Trans Union – www.tuc.com To order a report: call: 800-916-8800 or Write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 To report a Fraud, call: 800-680-7289 and write Fraud Victim Assistance Department, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834