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NNSO Badge Identity Theft Protection

Identity theft is a crime in which an impostor obtains key pieces of personally identifying information, such as Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers, and uses them for personal gain.

It’s a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, credit history, and reputation and can take time, money and patience to resolve. In most cases, it begins with a lost or stolen wallet/purse, stolen mail, a data breach, computer virus, phishing scams or paper documents that have been thrown away.

How does a thief steal my identity?

Identity thieves can obtain your personal information in several ways:

  • Dumpster diving — going through business or home trashcans to find personal information
  • Stealing your mail
  • Stealing or finding your wallet or purse
  • Skimming — your debit or credit card numbers
  • Phishing — sending an e-mail or calling you claiming to be a legitimate company or institution
  • Falsely obtaining your credit report
  • Re-directing or pharming — rerouting you to a copycat website, a bank or other e-commerce website

How do I know if I am a victim of identity theft?

Man, woman, rich, poor — anyone can fall victim to identity theft.  The better your credit rating and financial standing, the more likely are you to be the target of an impersonator, experts say. All too often, a person’s identity has been stolen long before realizing he’s a victim of identity theft.
Below are some of the warning signs that suggest you may be a victim of identity fraud and that a fraudster is obtaining goods and services by using your credit information and other personal details.

  • New accounts appear on your credit report.
  • There are unexplained withdrawals and charges on your statements (bank, medical bills, etc.)
  • You haven’t received your bills, statements or other important mail.
  • A debt collection agency contacts you about goods or an account you never approved.

If I am a victim of identity theft, what should I do?

Although every identity theft case is unique, here’s some general advice for a quick and prudent response to immediate signs of identity theft.

  1. Order a copy of your credit report.
  2. Place a fraud alert on your credit report.
  3. Close any accounts that you think have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
  4. Call the security or fraud departments on accounts you suspect were fraudulently opened.

NOTE: Depending on your case and situation, you will likely need to supplement these steps with additional activity. For instance,

  • Call the Federal Trade Commission 1-877-IDTHEFT for counseling and help.  You can also go to the FTC website for ways to create your personal recovery plan or to chat with a specialist.
  • Keep a record. When you start calling agencies to report your case, keep a record of the names and phone numbers of the people you talked to, along with any supporting documentation.
  • Identity Theft Recovery.  The Federal Trade Commission offers information recovering from identity theft.   

How can I minimize my risk of becoming an identity theft victim?

Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming the victim of identity fraud:

  1. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write it on your checks.
  2. Protect your PIN. Never write a PIN on a credit/debit card or on a slip of paper kept in your wallet.
  3. Watch out for “shoulder surfers” at ATMs. Use your free hand to shield the keypad.
  4. Collect mail promptly. Ask the post office to put your mail on hold when you are away from home.
  5. Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender.
  6. Keep your receipts. Ask for carbons and incorrect charge slips as well.
  7. Tear up or shred unwanted receipts, credit offers, account statements, expired cards, etc.
  8. Store personal information in a safe place at home and at work. Don’t leave it lying around.
  9. Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information that come in the mail, online or over the phone.
  10. Install firewalls and virus detection software on your home or business computers.
  11. Check your credit report once a year to ensure there’s been no unauthorized access to your accounts.

There’s more information on Identity theft, scams, the Do Not Call Registry and much more on the Virginia Office of Consumer Protection website.

There’s also a page where you can download publications on avoiding ID theft, filing a complaint against a business and get other useful information.