Preventing Identity Theft National City Bank. How to protect your identity

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1 Preventing Identity Theft National City Bank How to protect your identity

2 Understanding and Preventing Identity Theft Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in America 500,000 people fall victim to identity theft every year 42% of consumer complaints to the FTC were identified as identity theft incidents 33% of Identity Theft involves new and existing credit card accounts 21% of Identity Theft involves phone or utility fraud Other reported misuse affected bank accounts and employment related fraud (ie: falsified drivers license)

3 How do the criminals get the information? Private residence mailbox theft Telemarketing schemes (Fishing) Scams Computer Hacking Paying employees in retail establishments to copy down information about customers

4 What do they do with the information? Once criminals are armed with your personal information they can take over your identity through many different means Establish bank accounts Open new credit cards Apply for credit (loan applications) Falsify a new drivers license Basically when an individual gains access to your information they can become you.

5 How can I protect myself? Don t give your social security number to anyone over the phone Tear your old receipts, bank statements, and unused credit card offers into small pieces before throwing them away Review your bank and credit card statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized transactions Protect your PIN Numbers and computer passwords Order copies of your credit report once a year

6 What do I do if I am an Identity Theft Victim? If you suspect your Identity has been stolen act immediately! Call your bank and credit card companies to begin closing your accounts and have comments put on your file File a Police Report Call the Fraud Department of the 3 credit report companies Place a victim statement on your credit report regarding the identity theft Maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter - Keep track of individuals names, title, and phone # s

7 What is my Liability Credit Card vs. Debit Card Credit Card Liability is limited to first $50 of unauthorized transactions Debit Card transactions must be reported within 2 days of activity to fall within the $50 Liability limit. IF YOU WAIT 3 DAYS OR MORE YOU MAY BE LIABLE FOR $500 OR MORE IF THEY CONTINUE TO USE YOUR ACCOUNT

8 Case Studies Scenario #1 An Athlete Sportscaster had her identity stolen while she was out of the country. Thieves took her mail while she was away and attempted to open 17 accounts. They succeeded in spending $15,000 before the theft was noticed. Scenario #2 A university student s wallet was stolen, but he didn t think the thieves wanted more than the cash so he did not report it to the police. Within hours the thieves had emptied his checking account using his debit card and charged $10,000 worth of purchases on his existing credit card and new ones the thieves opened in his name. It took months for him to learn the full extent of the impact on his life. What could these 2 have done to prevent thieves from stealing or causing so much damage?

9 Additional Ways to Protect Yourself Choose 1 Bank for your Financial needs National City Bank Work Perks Program encompasses all deposit, credit card, and lending needs as a package product Choose a Bank that is educated and well trained in what to do in an Identity Theft case Develop a relationship with a key person at your local branch so if there is ever a problem with Identity Theft you have an advocate in your corner

10 Additional Resources Fraud Unit Contact Information Experian Equifax Trans Union

11 For additional information: Please contact Nichole Sturgis: Phone: (231) or