Today, I’d like to write a bit about Identity Theft. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to listen to Frank Abagnale speak. He is the guy that Leonardo DiCaprio portrayed in the movie “Catch Me If You Can”. He’s the world’s expert on Identity Theft. In the late 60’s, early 70’s he took on several different aliases and traveled the world several times over, cashing over 2 million dollars in fraudulent checks along the way. He was eventually caught and spent several years in prison. However, when he was finally released he worked for the FBI as a consultant on check fraud. He now serves as a consultant/security advisor for Fortune 500 companies. When I saw him, he told the audience that Identity Theft is the one crime he fears most in the 21st Century. The reason is that technology can breed crime. Crooks have become more creative in recent years with the Internet and computers making it possible to commit crimes without criminals leaving their homes. Most people think that Identity Theft is when someone steals your credit cards and/or check book and uses them to make fraudulent purchases. It is actually a lot more serious than that.

Identity theft occurs when someone is able to gain your personal information (such as your date of birth, drivers license number and, most importantly, your social security number) and uses that information to open lines of credit in your name. They simply use that credit to purchase goods or services and simply don’t pay the bill. The suspect does not even need to use your address. Since he/she isn’t going to pay the bill, it does not matter what address they use. It could be years until you discover that your personal information has been compromised and, by then, your credit could be completely ruined.

The most common way that people steal your personal information is by the mail. For those of you with the mailbox out on the curb, be cautious, as the little red flag that tells the postman to pick up is also a signal for the Identity Theft suspect to steal your information. I used to bring my mail in to work and send it out from City Hall, however, I recently moved and a community that I’m in has those secure mailboxes stations on the curb. If you don’t have a secure mailbox, we suggest that you take your mail to the post office or to an official blue USPS mailbox to send out.

Do not keep your social security card in your wallet. Memorize your number and leave your card at home. In fact, go through your wallet and take out any card (credit or otherwise) that you haven’t used in the past 6 months. This will make it easier on you should you lose your wallet or if it’s stolen.

Finally, check your credit report at least every 6 months. If you see a creditor on your report that you don’t recognize, it’s possible that you are a victim. I actually subscribe to a service that notifies me within 24 hours of any inquiries into my credit. There have actually been cases where suspects have purchased cars (and homes) and the victim didn’t find out for a few years. Again, if you don’t regularly check your credit, you may not find out that you’re a victim until you have to make a large purchase.

Thanks for participating,
Alan dela Pena