Identity Theft
Minimizing your risk, What to do if you are a victim
WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?
Identity theft occurs when someone takes pieces of
information about you and commits fraud or theft. This
is a violation of Wisconsin state law. Someone may be
able to obtain your personal information from every day
transactions like writing a check or using your credit
card. These transactions usually require that you share
personal information, like your address and telephone
number, bank and credit card numbers, as well as your
social security card number. While you may be unable to
 prevent an unscrupulous person from stealing this
information, you can minimize your risk by managing your
personal information wisely.
HOW DOES IT HAPPEN
Your wallet or purse containing your personal
identification and credit cards is stolen. A thief may
use your credit card quickly to make purchases, or apply
for a new credit card by using your personal
information.
- Credit card and bank statements, pre-approved credit
offers, and tax information is stolen from you.
- A phone or wireless service is opened in your name
- Personal information you share on the internet is used
- Someone checks your trash and finds personal information
AVOIDING CREDIT AND CHARGE CARD FRAUD
- Think twice before giving someone personal information
about yourself.
- Ask how they are going to use it and the reason why they
need it. If the reasoning does not sound legitimate, do
not give out the information.
- Do not give out information over the telephone unless
you initiated contact or you know the
 person.
- Sign your credit card right away or don’t sign it at all. Instead,
write “CID” on the back. This stands for “check ID.”
This forces retailers to match your face and the name on
the credit card with another ID, such as your driver’s
license.
- Be careful with your social security number. Do not
carry it in your wallet or purse.
WHAT IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT?
If you are the victim of Identity theft, take the
following five steps as soon as possible, and keep a
record of with the details of your conversations and
copies of all your correspondence.
1) Place a fraud-alert on your credit report, and review
your credit reports.
2) Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have
been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Speak to someone in the security or fraud department for
each company and follow up in writing, and include copies (not originals)
of supporting documents.
3) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
- You can file a complaint with the FTC by using their
online complaint form.
- Call the FTC’s Identify Theft Hotline, toll-free:
1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338)
- Write: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade
Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20580
4) File a report with your local police or the police in
the community where the theft took place. Obtain a copy
of the police report. It can help you deal with
creditors who need proof of the crime. Provide all
records relating to fraudulent accounts or purchases in
your case. This will help the police investigate this
crime. You may contact the University Police at 577-9045
or 839-4972 to report a theft. If a theft is in progress
or a suspect is nearby, please call 911, 9-911 on a
campus phone.
5)Contact the Social Security
Administration to report a stolen card. The fraudulent
use of a stolen Social Security card number can be the
most damaging part of a theft case. If your card or
number is stolen, contact the Social Security
Administration immediately to report it. You may contact
this agency at 1-800-772-1213 or go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/replace_sscard.html
Phishing
How to avoid being lured in.
Phishing is the act of attempting to fraudulently
acquire sensitive information, such as credit card
numbers or bank account numbers and passwords, by
masquerading as a trustworthy person or a business.
These attempts are usually sent by electronic message,
such as an email or instant message. These messages look
harmless and may appear to be a legitimate attempt to
alert you to a problem with your account Legitimate
businesses will not ask for this information by use of
email or instant message. Remember, they should already
have your accounts and passwords. You can avoid being
lured in by taking the following precautions.
- Be leery of alarming statements that urge you to act
immediately.
- Resist requests for user names, passwords, account
numbers and other identifying numbers.
- Do not provide personal information by completing a form
in an email message. Instead contact only your
legitimate institutions by phone or in person.
Phishing may also occur by telephone. Do not give any
personal information such as, credit card numbers,
social security numbers or bank account numbers to
anyone over the phone, especially if you have not
initiated the contact.
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