ID theft protection starts in wallet

EDGEWATER -- Two out of the 17 people who attended an identity theft seminar had their identities stolen, but more potential crime targets were in the room.

A quick survey on Tuesday by victim advocate Theresa Ronnebaum revealed five vulnerable people with a Social Security card in their wallet. Another susceptible person didn't own a shredder.

With Florida ranking fifth in the nation for identity theft crime, Ronnebaum stopped by Edgewater's Community Center to hold a free, two-hour seminar about simple ways to protect yourself.

Educating the public would not only prevent further crime, but it also might help her deal with the flood of requests for help at her Orlando post with the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

"If I'm educating you today, these are less victim calls I have to deal with (later)," said Ronnebaum, the state's only identity theft victim advocate.

Still reeling from Social Security number and credit card theft, one participant who wished to remain anonymous, said even young people should be required to learn how to safeguard themselves from ID theft.

"As you get older, you realize its inevitable," said the 50-year-old ID theft victim with two master's degrees.

GET INFORMED

To learn whether you've been a target, start off by checking your credit report every year to learn if there is any suspicious activity under your name.

Ronnebaum warns, however, there is only one legitimate, free, credit reporting source that is federally funded for the public to use. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com.

"There is a statute of limitations in regards to prosecuting the case, that's why it's important for you all to pull your credit report every year," she said. "If you don't pull your credit, sometimes you don't even know you're a victim."

Victims should place fraud alerts on all accounts with the three main credit reporting agencies, she said. They should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Crime victims are encouraged to file reports with their local law enforcement agency. The police, by state law, should record a report, she said, and may choose to investigate the case. It will be up to the state attorney's office to decide to prosecute.

PREVENTION

Be careful about the contents of your wallet and purse.

Keep track of what's in your wallet by making photocopies of credit cards, Ronnebaum said.

"Copy not only the fronts, but the backs of your credit cards because that will give you your 1-800 numbers (for cancellations)," Ronnebaum said.

Resident Norma Perkins made copies of her cards a few years ago, but said she would update her list to refer to phone numbers in case her wallet gets stolen.

"I have a great amount of awareness of being cautious," she said.

One of the easiest ways to prevent identity theft is to leave your checkbook and Social Security cards at home, Ronnebaum said. She suggests writing letters encouraging companies that print your Social Security number on cards, such as health insurance agencies, to use a different identification number.

With thieves digging into personal trash and even at businesses, all documents should be destroyed with a shredder. Ronnebaum recommends a cross shredder because some thieves, who may be high on drugs, have nothing else better to do than piece your information together.

"When you don't use a cross shredder, they're just lines. It's like a puzzle," she said.

It's important to safeguard everything, even mailboxes. It's easy to become a target as soon as the mailbox's red flag is raised to indicate mail needs to be picked up.

"You're basically telling the bad guys, 'Hey, here's the mail. It's got my account number, my checking account number, my routing number and a bill,' " she said.

news source : http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Neighbors/DailyJournal/evlDJ02031508.htm