ID Theft and ID Fraud
What is Identity Theft?Identity theft is a serious crime that occurs when one person collects identifying information about another individual, and uses that information to do harm by conducting a variety of crimes, often negatively affecting the victim’s finances.
With enough personal information
about 
an individual, a person can
take over that
person’s identity or financial records. For
example, the thief can falsify applications
for
credit cards, withdraw money from bank
accounts, take out loans, use telephone
calling cards, purchase cell phones and
run up charges, or obtain goods and
privileges by using another person’s credit
history and good name.
Often a victim may not become aware of
what has happened
until the criminal has
damaged
the victim’s assets, credit,
and reputation.
Guard your personal information
If a purse or wallet is stolen, the driver’s license,
credit cards and other details can provide easy
resources for an identity thief. Minimize the number
of cards and personal information you carry with you,
so thieves have access to the least possible
personal information.
▪ Guard your Social Security number,
credit card numbers,
personal identification numbers (PINs),
passwords and other personal information.
▪ Protect incoming and outgoing mail.
Thieves can steal and change checks in bill envelopes,
or take incoming mail and sign up for credit card offers
— but reroute bills to another address.
▪ Keep your trash "clean" of personal information.
▪ Shred credit applications.
▪ Watch bank statements and credit card bills
for unexpected charges.
Research
shows the
average
American
discards nearly
200 pounds of
paper each year
— including stacks of
unwanted junk mail. Often,
junk mail and paper trash
includes valuable information
about personal identity
and should be discarded carefully.
▪ Choose passwords and PIN numbers
that can’t be guessed.
▪ Safeguard your banking information.
▪ Never share your PIN number or
let another person look over your shoulder.
Who is behind the promises?
Identity Fraud Company Checklist
Many fraud artists invent company names that sound impressive, or are designed to sound similar to existing companies. Confirm that a company is a legitimate business before you give them any personal information.
▪ Note whether the company has a street address (not a post office box alone)
and business phone number.
▪ Compare listings with the main office if someone claims to represent a national company. Verify the person is an employee.
▪ Ask the business to provide a copy of any offer or contract in writing and allow time for review, without pressure to close the deal if you aren’t ready. Legitimate companies look for long-term
relationships, not just quick profits.
▪ Be sure the company provides more than one way
to reach a representative. Be wary if someone
can only be reached by leaving a message,
or if all contact is by email or fax.
▪ Find out if the company is listed in the yellow pages, or if it has a website.
▪ Contact the appropriate state agency to see if the company is licensed, if required.
▪ Check the company's complaint record with the consumer affairs department of the
state attorneygeneral’s office.
▪ Avoid businesses that solicit door-to-door, via email or fax;
anyone who pressures you to make immediate decisions;
and avoid anyone who offers good "deals" and long-term guarantees
but ONLY if you act quickly.
▪ Pay attention to your instincts.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it often is.
Don’t share your personal information with anyone you don’t know and trust.
If you think you are a victim of Identity Theft or Identity Fraud
If you believe you are the victim of
Identity Theft or Identity Fraud,
the State of Colorado has resources
to assist you.
The Colorado Attorney General’s office has an
“Identity Theft Repair Kit” available on line at:
http://www.ago.state.co.us/idtheft/IDTheft.cfm
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation can also
help you
Recover from Identity Theft.
For information:
http://cbi.state.co.us/idtheft/contents_victims.cfm
updated 01/2012
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