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Naval Criminal Investigative Service Resident Agency Okinawa IDENTITY THEFT: Information for Personal Awareness, Response, Resources Identity Theft • A Rapidly Growing Problem in America! • What is it? • How is it done? • How can You protect yourself? • What to do if this should happen to You! NCISRA Okinawa Scope of the Problem? • 1992: – Trans Union reported 35,235 complaints of ID theft • 1997: – Trans Union reported 522,922 complaints. – U.S. Secret Service reported ID Theft losses $745m. • 1999: – Social Security Administration reported more than 39,000 cases of SSN abuse. – Fed Trade Commission reported 700,000 victims of ID theft • 2000: – Independent study found 1 in 5 Americans victimized. – On average, victims spend 175 hours and $808 to clear name NCISRA Okinawa What is it? • Identity Fraud/Theft – the obtaining of another person’s identity for the purpose of obtaining goods and/or services in that person’s name. • The affects of this can range from bad credit to catastrophic!!! NCISRA Okinawa Why is it increasing? • Easy to accomplish. • Hard to identify /catch the culprit. • Can use your identity to facilitate a variety of crimes. NCISRA Okinawa Most common ways to… steal? • Theft of SSN • Theft of Credit Card Numbers • Theft of Driver’s License – (The internet greatly aids these criminals) NCISRA Okinawa How info obtained? • The old fashion way of stealing your wallet, usually containing your Driver’s license (DOB), SSN, and valid credit cards (all these contain your name). • Trashing-Stealing credit card receipts from business trash cans. • From USG documentation. • The Internet opens numerous doors for these criminals. NCISRA Okinawa How it Starts • In the electronic era, your ―identity‖ begins and ends with your social security number. • An ID thief does not need your signature, fingerprints, photo, PIN’s, mother’s maiden name, or credit card expiration dates to exploit your name and credit reputation. NCISRA Okinawa Applying for Credit • Some credit card issuers will let you apply and be approved over the internet • They’ll want to know your name, ssn, address, employment history, salary, etc • Instant credit or correspondence via e-mail = NCISRA Okinawa Now the “Bad Guy” can... • • • • • • Apply for several credit cards. Open bank accounts and write ―bad‖ checks. Take out loans. Rent an apartment/house. Have utilities turned on. Remember—All this is in YOUR NAME! Big deal? You bet…credit and other issues could have an impact during security clearance background investigations. NCISRA Okinawa It can happen to anyone. . Interested in specifics? • Military – One case in DoD involved 1300 victims around the world – 2000 case on Okinawa resulted in GCM conviction of USN member who targeted at least three senior officers in his command. • Cases prosecuted in Federal Court? – www.consumer.gov/idtheft/cases.htm NCISRA Okinawa 5 steps to help protect yourself 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Add fraud alerts added to your credit file with the three major credit bureaus. Remove your personal information from the major commercial marketing databases/lists. Create an emergency phone list. Learn the basics of internet security. Implement basic security habits into your daily life. NCISRA Okinawa Other things to think about • Shopping on-line • Other general information to consider NCISRA Okinawa What if it happens to you? • This is an issue that needs to be resolved for several reasons. – Your credit history may be impacted. – Your security clearance may be effected. • If you are victimized, anticipate working closely with law enforcement. Take note, however, that the involvement of law enforcement in your case may depend on the extent of victimization and available resources. – Our goal? » arrest and prosecution – your goal? » clearing your name and history. NCISRA Okinawa Prior to meeting with MPI/NCIS or other Law Enforcement agency Compile background information Law Enforcement will need: • How did you discover the fraud/theft? • Entire numbers for effected accounts • Locations listed as home addresses • Locations applications presented • Other Names used on applications • ID by name, number any company you have contacted. • Photocopies of any letters, acct. statements, other correspondence received by you on this. • Any clues? (not guesses) • Be prepared to assist the Investigator or Agent! NCISRA Okinawa Personal considerations • Have you received un-solicited offers of pre-approved credit in the mail? Have you properly disposed of those you chose to? Do you properly handle and dispose of financial or other mail containing your personal information? Do you check out web sites before you order on-line? (Remember, anyone can create a web page…) • Have you ordered and reviewed a copy of your credit history within the past 2 years? Do you ask why when asked for your ssn or other personal information? Have you ever asked where that information is stored, how its protected, or who has access after you give it? • • • Return NCISRA Okinawa Resources • Law Enforcement • Other NCISRA Okinawa Law Enforcement Resources including but not limited to: • • • • Camp S.D. Butler Provost Marshall – MPI: 645-7347 NCISRA Okinawa: 645-0506 U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service – www.ncis.navy.mil U.S. Secret Service – www.treas.gov • • FBI/Internet Complaint Center – www.ifccfbi.gov National White Collar Crime Center – www.nw3c.org Return NCISRA Okinawa Other resources including but not limited to: • Identity Theft Resource Center – www.idtheftcenter.org Federal Trade Commission – www.consumer.gov/idtheft – 1-877-ID-THEFT Social Security Administration – www.ssa.gov U.S. State Department – www.travel.state.gov/passport_services Direct Marketing Association – www.e-mps.org • • • • Return NCISRA Okinawa Ordering on-line? • Read the information on the web site thoroughly before you place your order… does it have spelling errors? Does it make claims that seem hard to believe? Do they have a telephone number and street address (not a PO Box). Make certain the web site is secure before you enter your personal information or credit card number. Read over the company’s Privacy policy. Shopping on-line with companies located in the United States may be easier to work with if there is a problem later. After you place your order, print a copy of your order form. Keep your password private Check your credit card bills closely for several months after the transaction for unauthorized purchases. Check your credit history once a year for any new accounts opened NCISRA Okinawa • • • • • • Return • Other considerations • • • • • When shopping in public, use caution when providing credit card or other personal information. Resist the temptation to put ssn and other personal info on checks. Properly dispose of personal, financial or medical information by shredding, tearing up, etc. Plan to get a copy of your credit report for review every two years – looking for accounts you didn’t establish. Be wary of telephone calls soliciting personal or account information. Return NCISRA Okinawa Remember, the best protection you have is your attention to your information NCISRA Okinawa