Definitions to Help Defend Your Identity

Here are some definitions and facts associated with identity theft:

Identity theft - refers to fraud that involves stealing money or getting other benefits by pretending to be someone else. The term is relatively new and is actually a misnomer, since it is not inherently possible to steal an identity, only to use it. The person whose identity is used can suffer various consequences when they are held responsible for the perpetrator's actions. In many countries, specific laws make it a crime to use another person's identity for personal gain.

By the Numbers

1. More than 34,000 identity theft reports to the Federal Trade Commission from 2005 to 2007 concerned children under age 18.
2. More than 50 percent of all child ID theft involves a perpetrator who is one of the parents or someone who is close to the family.

How to help defend your identity:

How to know if you are the victim of Identity Theft:

1. If you see a fraudulent charge, cancel your credit card – your card number is in the wrong hands and is likely to be used again for illegal purposes.
2. If you file for a credit card application or loan and get turned down, check your credit reports. You may be a victim of identity theft.

What to do if you believe your identity has been compromised:

1. Report the crime locally with your local law enforcement. File a police report and get a copy of the report.
2. File a complaint with the FBI: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and FTC. For any complaint launched, give as complete information as possible including the exact charge amount, company name, phone number and any other information available. The more variables you include, the greater chance investigators can find common factors across victims and catch the criminals.
3. Notify all of the three credit bureaus in writing and provide as much information as you can.
4. Initiate a chargeback by filing a fraud claim with your credit card holder; do not “dispute” the charges. The distinction here is critical. A chargeback can stick the fraudster with a hefty fee and helps raise the warning flags to banks and merchant account providers.
5. Look back over old statements for any missed charges. In many examples, the fraudsters have made multiple charges to the same credit card.

Find out how you can help keep your children safe online.

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