Scams, Vishing, Phishing, & Cons

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Below is one of the latest scams to get your information by thieves.  Your best defense is to know about the scams and to never give out any information from an unsolicited offer or request.  The links listed here are provided as a service to help you research scams and learn how to protect yourself against identity theft.

Jury Duty Scam
If you receive a call from someone who claims to be a jury coordinator, don’t give out your information.  This scam has been reported in at least 11 states and uses intimidation over the phone to coerce unsuspecting, law-abiding citizens into giving information, like social security numbers and date of birth, to fraudsters.  The FBI has issued a nationwide alert on their Website. 

Additional Sites to Help Guard Your Identity

AnnualCreditReport.com will give you a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.  Review your report to look for accounts which you may not have opened.  This is also where you can find out if any adverse information is being reported that may lower your credit score.

Snopes.com is an interesting site to help you find out whether the latest “scam” really exists or if it is a made-up tale.

Ftc.gov has information on the prevention and detection of identity theft along with resources to help if you’ve become a victim.

The National Credit Union Association has a variety of brochures and information to help you learn about ID theft.  For more information, go to http://www.ncua.gov/Publications/Index.htm

Contact the Social Security Administration to get a statement of your account.  Go to www.ssa.gov/ or call 800-772-1213.

The Identity Theft Resource Center is a non-profit organization that helps victims and offers information at www.idtheftcenter.org or by calling 858-693-7935.

The Department of Justice offers advise at www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html.

The U.S. Postal service also offers information at www.usps.com/postalinspectors/idthft_ncpw.htm.

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has information and even offers quizzes to help you determine your chances of having identity theft happen to you at http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm.

Identity Theft Victim Help
There are three steps you can take immediately to help stop further theft.

1. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus’ fraud departments at:
   
              Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
              Experian:  1-888-397-3742
              TransUnion:  1-800-680-7289
   
   
2. File a police report to help you with creditors later.  Go to your local police or the police where the identity theft took place.
3. Close all accounts that are fraudulent.  Follow up with a letter as most creditors require letters for resolving issues.