Identity Theft and How To Protect Yourself

By Javier Robles

Identity theft can happen to you. In fact, many individuals who are victims may not know about it until months or years later. This may be why many people never think about identity theft until in fact it does happen to them. The reality is that people with disabilities are at a higher rate of having their privacy invaded our identity stolen. Individuals with disabilities depend many times on the help of others for activities of daily living. They often have to allow total strangers in their homes to work as personal-care assistance or nurses. Even in public situations there is a greater likelihood that someone may be robbed of their information and not even know it.

 

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 10 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. Identity theft is serious. People whose identities have been stolen can spend hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. Consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing, or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. They may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit. The potential for damage, loss, and stress is considerable.

Why are People with Disabilities a Greater Risk of Identity Theft?

Identity theft may happen to anyone at any time, however, individuals who depend on others for assistance may be a greater risk. The individuals’ disability will determine their level of dependence on others. Here are two examples of individuals with varying need at risk of “Identity Theft”:

Joe

Joe is a tetraplegic and needs help retrieving his wallet whenever he goes to the store or restaurant. He will often ask a stranger or business employee to retrieve the wallet from his bag.

• Joe is exposing his personal and credit information to individuals who could steal actual credit cards, auto license, social security cards or write down the information for later use

 

Lisa

Lisa is a person who is blind and has several people to read mail and bills to her. These same people also assist her with bill paying.

• Lisa is exposing vital credit, checking and personal information to people who could use this information or sell it.

 

It is not that people with disabilities are more apt to release their personal information than others. The persons need to have a task done, such as paying a bill or having mail read makes it easier for others to steal their information. In reality, many people with disabilities have no choice but they can lessen the chances of identity theft.

How do thieves steal an identity?

• Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information. For identity thieves, your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information is as good as gold. Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information:
• They may steal your mail, wallet, or purse
• They may get personal information from you by posing as legitimate companies through email, in a practice known as “phishing.” Or they might lie to you on the phone
• They may take your information from businesses or other institutions by stealing personnel records, bribing or conning an employee who has access to these records, or breaking into your records electronically
• Some identity theft victims even report that their information has been stolen by someone they know

 

Eight Tips for People with Disabilities to Prevent Identity

Identity theft may not always be preventable because many times victims do no realize it happened. Here are a few tips specifically for people with disabilities:

• If you use personal care assistants through an agency make sure that they perform “security checks” on their employees
• If you hire staff directly consider doing a “security check” yourself. There are many online services that do this for a fee
• If others are assisting with banking needs do a regular (bi-weekly) assessment of your accounts. Bank personnel can assist you in person or over the telephone
• Mail especially bills can be sent electronically from your billing agency. Consider this option, especially if one uses the computer because of a visual disability
• Pay bills electronically through your bank. This provides a clear way to track payments and deposits
• If help is needed retrieving wallets or purses then try and separate credit cards, drivers license and money. It is safer to pay with cash if possible as there is less of a chance for others to access you personal information
• Do not carry your Social Security Card with you. Keep it in a safe location
• Organize important papers into an easy to track and find file. Place in a safe if available or safety deposit box

 

Federal Campaign to Educate and Protect the Public Avoid ID Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend

While nothing can guarantee that you won’t become a victim of identity theft, you can take specific steps to minimize your risk, and minimize the damage if a problem develops. It’s about following the “3 D’s” of identity theft protection – Deter, Detect, Defend

DETER:

• Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them
• Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier
• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact and know who you are dealing with
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a Web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information
• Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house

 

DETECT:

• Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts & billing statements
• Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
  1. Mail or bills that do not arrive as expected
  2. Unexpected credit cards or account statements
  3. Denials of credit for no apparent reason
  4. Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
• Inspect:
  1. Your credit report. Credit reports have information about you, Including, what accounts you have and your bill paying history
  2. Your financial statements. Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking for charges you did not make
• Order your credit report
  1. The law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union – to give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it.
  2. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a Service created by these three companies, to order your free credit reports each year. Or you can write: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

 

DEFEND:

Defend against Identity Theft as soon as you suspect a problem place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make certain changes to your existing accounts.

The three nationwide consumer-reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

• Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports
• Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain
• Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently
• Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents
• Use the Identity Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement
• Ask for written verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged
• Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft
• File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime
• Report your complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations

 

Online: ftc.gov/idtheft
By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261

Identity theft is a serious crime with serious consequences for the victim. No one is one hundred percent safe from this crime. However, one can minimize the risk by following the tips from ThisAbled.com and the Federal governments the “3 D’s” of identity theft protection – Deter, Detect, Defend.