| Think you're more likely
to have your identity stolen via your computer? Think you
can't do anything about identity theft? Think again.
More and more these days, consumers are
being warned about identity theft. Newspaper and magazine
articles, television reports, flyers in your monthly bills,
even on-hold messages give the warning signs of identity
theft…and with good reason. A report from the Federal
Trade Commission cites 160,000 identity theft cases reported
in the United States in 2002. In 2004, the number of U.S.
identity theft cases rose to 9.3 million!
But what is identity theft and how can
it happen? And should we even worry about it here in the
Midwest where we feel relatively safe from other crimes.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses
your personal identification – including your name,
social security number or any account number – for
unlawful activities. And, you may not realize it, but identity
theft is a federal crime.
In addition to the alarming statistics
about the occurrence of identity theft, you may be surprised
to learn that even though consumers increasingly purchase
goods and services via their computer, identity theft is
more likely to happen the "old fashioned" way
– from a stolen wallet, checkbook, credit card, even
junk mail. According to the 2005 Identity Fraud Survey Report,
released by the Council of Better Business Bureaus and Javelin
Strategy & Research, in 2004 computer crimes only accounted
for 11.6% of I.D. theft, while 68% came from paper sources.
Protect
Your Possessions
Think about it…you’re in
the grocery store and realize you've missed the peanut butter
on your list. You may not think twice about leaving your
personal belongings in your unattended cart as you go to
retrieve the missed item. But, think again.
Your purse, wallet and checkbook contain,
literally, a wealth of information about you, your bank
accounts and credit cards. Left unattended, they –
and you – are at the mercy of anyone in the vicinity
to quickly nab your information and begin reeking havoc
with your money and credit. In the short time it takes for
you to hurry two aisles away, grab the Skippy and get back
to your cart, your identity could be in the hands of someone
else.
The lesson – Never, ever, leave your
purse, wallet or checkbook unattended, even in familiar
surroundings, even for only a few seconds.
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Shred
Junk Mail
You grab the mail on the way in the house
and quickly flip through the stack to find credit card offers,
home equity "E-Z" checks and offers for loan consolidation.
Before you disgustedly deposit all this junk mail in the
trash, stop!
In the hands of the wrong people, your
trash can become their treasure. Identity thieves are not
above "dumpster diving" to retrieve the offers
you've passed on, open accounts in your name, then use them
to run up huge bills. These thieves are so sly they might
process a change of address on the accounts to send the
bills to a P.O. Box or nonexistent address. You never receive
statements, making it harder to track errant spending.
The lesson – Shred all junk
mail, bank statements and credit card bills (after you've
checked them over, of course, to make sure all the transactions
are yours) before putting them in the trash.
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Not
All Identity Thieves are Strangers
Although strangers can silently attack
your identity then flea unnoticed, you should also protect
your vital personal account data from friends, family and
acquaintances. Again, citing the 2005 Identity Fraud Survey
Report released by the Council of Better Business Bureaus
and Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft from
family members occurred in 32% of reported cases and from
a friend, neighbor or in-home employee in 18% of reported
cases.
The lesson – Don['t leave
papers containing your personal information, especially
your social security number, lying around the house for
anyone to see…and pick up.
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Identity Theft Insurance
The surveys, news reports and warnings
from credit card companies all add up to one fact: You can
help protect yourself from identity theft by diligently
guarding your identity at home, at work and where you shop.
Another way to protect yourself is with
identity theft insurance. This specialized insurance reimburses
victims for the costs related to restoring identity and
repairing credit.
Now, Gateway Insurance Services and their
partner Allied Insurance offers Identity Fraud Expense Coverage.
As part of your homeowners policy, Gateway's Identity Fraud
Expense Coverage covers out-of-pocket expenses like:
- Costs for notarizing affidavits or other
documents
- Attorney fees
- Lost income
- Long distance phone calls
- And more!
Plus, compared to other coverage in the
marketplace, Gateway's Identity Fraud Expense Coverage is
one of the most cost-effective. Only $25 per year provides
up to $15,000 coverage!
With identity theft on the rise, Identity
Fraud Expense Coverage from Gateway Insurance Services is
a positive, proactive step you can take to protect yourself
from the effects of this disturbing crime.
Call Gateway Insurance today and get more
details about Identity Fraud Expense Coverage from one of
our professional agents. Thank Goodness for Gateway!
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