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Bronson Urges Consumers To Combat Identity Theft

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Special to Highlands Today

Published: July 20, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging consumers to take advantage of their free annual credit reports to deter identity theft.

It has been three years since the amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act provided Florida consumers with access to their credit report from each of the three major credit reporting companies for free once a year. A credit report contains information about a consumer's credit history, including a listing of all credit cards and loans.

A recent report from the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center indicates Florida is home to 10 percent of Internet fraud perpetrators in the United States, second only to California. In addition, illegal activity, Medicare fraud, occupational fraud and money laundering account for about $94 billion of Florida's $714 billion Gross Domestic Product according to Enterprise Florida.

Bronson is concerned that the weak economy and rising unemployment rate may result in an increase in identity theft and unauthorized use of consumers' credit cards.

"Reviewing credit history is one of the most important steps people can take to protect them from identity theft or to quickly discover and halt any unauthorized activity on their credit," Bronson said. "Their credit reports may be the first hint there is a problem when they find credit cards or loans they never applied for."

Bronson suggests that consumers request one report every four months from each of the three national credit bureaus so they can check for errors throughout the year and catch any identity theft early. Call Experian (800-682-7654), Equifax (800-685-1111) and Trans Union (800-916-8800) to request the reports and inform them of any mistakes you find. Consumers can also visit http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

Here are some ways that identity thieves work:

They open a new credit card account, using someone else's name, date of birth, and social security number. When they use the credit card and don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on a victim's credit report.

They may also call a credit card issuer and, pretending to be the legitimate cardholder, change the mailing address on a credit card account. Then con artist runs up charges on the account. Because statements are being sent to the new address, consumers may not immediately realize they have been victimized.

They open a bank account in someone else's name and write bad checks on that account.

Phishing. They pretend to be legitimate financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.

They may use someone's personal information to buy items on the Internet.

Consumers cannot prevent identity theft, but they can reduce their chances of being a victim:

Close all stagnant credit card accounts and destroy the cards; carry as few cards as possible.

Mail bills from a post office or mail drop; identity thieves may steal mail that contains personalinformation from a home mailbox.

Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.

Do not respond to solicitations sent by email that direct you to a site. Many con artists will create web sites that look exactly like a legitimate site. It is safer to enter the web site address of a familiar retailer so you are logged onto the real web site.

Do not provide credit card, bank account or Social Security information over the phone or by email unless you have initiated the transaction and are sure you know who you are dealing with. Legitimate banks and credit card companies do not call or email customers for this information. For practical tips to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information, visit http://www.OnGuardOnline.gov.

Follow up with creditors if bills do not arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address to cover his or her tracks.

Place passwords on credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information such as your mother's maiden name, your birth date, or the last four digits of your social security number.

Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible. Do not put your SSN on your checks or carry it in your purse or wallet.

Try to ensure credit card transactions are conducted in your presence to prevent someone from double swiping the card.

Consumers who want to report suspicious activities can call the department's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-HELP FLA. They can learn more about how to protect themselves and what to do if they are the victims of an identity thief by logging onto the Federal Trade Commission web site at http://www.ftc.gov/.

Identity theft can damage a consumer's credit, and a poor credit history can result in rejection of credit or higher interest rates on a loan. Bronson says that is why it is so important for consumers to educate themselves about this crime and know what to do if it happens to them.

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