Fraud and Identity Theft. Megan Stearns, Credit Counselor

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1 Fraud and Identity Theft Megan Stearns, Credit Counselor

2 Agenda Fraud and identity theft statistics Fraud Identity theft Identity theft prevention Protecting your Social Security Number Online prevention What to do if you are a victim

3 Indiana Fraud and Identity Theft Statistics In 2013, Indiana ranked 35 th in the U.S. for both fraud and identity theft complaints.

4 U.S. Fraud and Identity Theft Statistics In 2013, Florida ranked 1 st in the U.S. for both fraud and identity theft complaints. In 2013, North Dakota ranked last in the U.S. for both fraud and identity theft complaints.

5 Who is targeted? Fraud, % 2% 15% 19 and under 16% % % 19% and over

6 Who is targeted? Identity Theft, % 12% 8% 18% 6% 20% 19% 19 and under and over

7 Types of Fraud Scams Skimming phishing Phone phishing Data breaches Check scams Internet sales Lottery scams Work at home scams

8 Skimming Thief swipes your debit or credit card through a hand-held device Thief installs an overlay device on an ATM These devices glean information off the magnetic strip on the back of the card Name, account number, expiration date, and security features Stolen information is sold

9 Skimming Hand-held Overlay

10 Phishing messages are sent that try to trick you into clicking on a link to reveal your financial and personal information Sense of urgency State account will be closed or restricted if you do not take action Purdue Federal CU or any legitimate institution will not solicit personal information via

11 Phishing What to do: Do not reply Do not click on links Do not open attachments Do not provide personal or financial information via Use anti-virus software and firewall protection Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you have been scammed

12 Phone Phishing Technology is used to create a legitimate sounding copy of a financial institution s message Number will show up on your caller ID as the financial institution Message will state your card has been compromised You will be prompted to verify the card number and PIN to re-activate More advanced systems will transfer you to the thief for further questioning

13 Data Breach When information has been subject to unauthorized access The information is usually lost, stolen, or hacked into Merchant processors Lost tapes Lost or stolen laptops

14 Types of Check Scams Internet sales Lottery scams and fax solicitations Work from home scams

15 Internet Sale Scam Buyer sends you a larger check than expected You are instructed to wire excess funds through Western Union or Money Gram Original check is counterfeit and returned Your account could be overdrawn when the check is returned

16 Lottery Scams Receive an or piece of mail notifying you that you ve won the lottery Cashiers check, commercial check or U.S. Treasury check is received Check is larger than expected or you owe taxes Instructed to wire out the difference Original check is returned as counterfeit Your account could be overdrawn when the check is returned

17 and Fax Solicitations Commonly known as Nigerian scams Your help is requested to move funds from fraudster s country to the United States Need your account number to hold the money Money is withdrawn from your account instead of deposited

18 Secret Shopper Scams Receive a letter and a check Instructed to cash the check and make several detailed purchases over the next few days Usually one or two of the purchases involves wiring funds out via Western Union or Money Gram Check returned as counterfeit Your account could be overdrawn when the check is returned

19 Helpful Tips Do not accept checks over the purchase price Do not wire out any excess funds Verify contact information provided for checks received Do not respond to s asking for personal or financial information Ask your financial institution about any suspicious checks

20 What is identity theft? Occurs when someone assumes your identity by using: Your date of birth Social Security Number Photo identification Or any other document to obtain credit, credit cards, withdraw money from your bank account, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, rent apartments, and obtain a job.

21 What is identity theft? Impact on victims Damaged credit record Loss of job opportunities Refused loans for education, housing, or cars Arrests due to mistaken identities

22 What is identity theft? Impact on consumers Cost of fraud reduces profit margins for companies Leads to higher costs for consumers

23 How do fraudsters obtain your information? Stealing your wallet/ purse Stealing your statements from your mailbox Diverting your mail to a new address Digging through the trash Phishing scams Compromised debit or credit cards from a data breach Misuse by family or friends

24 How do fraudsters use your personal information? Open new accounts in your name and go shopping Accounts then reported as delinquent on your credit report Call your creditors and change your billing address Take out loans, buy cars, get utility services in your name Authorize electronic transfers to drain your account Give your name during an arrest

25 ID Theft Prevention Do not give out your personal information Store all personal information in a safe place Safeguard wallets, purses, checkbooks, and account statements at home and at work Protect your PINs and other passwords Guard against shoulder surfers Carry only a minimum amount of identification

26 ID Theft Prevention Review statements and account activity on a regular basis Pay attention to billing cycles Sign up for fraud alert services provided by your financial institutions Sign up for e-statements, direct deposit, and online bill pay Don t authorize payments over the phone unless you initiated the call and know the company

27 ID Theft Prevention Opt out of preapproved credit offers by calling OPT OUT or online at Mail bills from a locked mailbox or Post Office Stop mail if you re out of town Shred pre-approved credit offers, statements, bills, and other documents with personal or financial information

28 ID Theft Prevention Review your credit report Make sure you recognize all the accounts Make sure you recognize all addresses Review your report at least annually You are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three credit bureaus Check credit reports for everyone in the family

29 ID Theft Prevention Review your credit report Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box Atlanta, GA

30 Protect Your Social Security Number Ask Why do you need it? Don t carry Social Security card in your wallet, unless you need it that day Don t use last 4 digits of SSN as a PIN Memorize PINs Don t let clerks write SSN on checks as ID Don t have SSN preprinted on checks Know when you have to give SSN and when you don t

31 Protect Your Social Security Number Must give SSN Credit unions/ banks Employers Income tax records Loan applications Credit bureau reports College records May want to refuse Over the phone On personal checks On club membership As ID for purchases As general identification

32 Online Prevention Don t click on links within messages from unknown sources Look for in the URL Use up-to-date antivirus and firewall software Avoid ing personal and financial information Notify spoofed companies immediately

33 Online Prevention Shopping Shop only with companies you know Pay only with a credit card or third-party intermediary Consider having a credit card designated for online only purchases Watch for URL to change from or Use a secure browser Look for closed padlock or unbroken key at the bottom of the browser window

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35 What to do if you are a victim Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Hotline 877.ID.Theft ( ) The FTC will put your information into a secure database and share it with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies

36 What to do if you are a victim Contact your financial institutions and creditors Follow each conversation with a certified letter, return receipt requested Keep copies Close your accounts if possible Request access to your account be restricted Change your passwords

37 What to do if you are a victim File a police report Keep a copy of the report and case number for your records Contact the fraud departments of all three credit bureaus Request a fraud alert/ consumer statement be placed on your report

38 What to do if you are a victim Credit bureau contact information Equifax P.O. Box Atlanta, GA Experian P.O. Box 9532 Allen, TX TransUnion P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA

39 Questions?

40 Megan Stearns Phone: Website: PURDUEFED.COM