Identify Theft

Identity theft can happen to anyone. Protect yourself by learning what it is, how it happens, and what to do if you are a victim of identify theft.

How Identity Theft Happens

Remember to include your USU ID Card and university password among your list of personal data that needs to be monitored against identity theft!

Your USU Card grants accesses your debit accounts, meals, facilities, and events; and servers as your campus identification. Your university strong password grants access to all your personal data, grades, tuition payments, payroll and any other personal record about you at Utah State University. As such, we recommend the following things in helping you protect yourself from identity theft.

Criminals can easily obtain your personal data without going to the trouble of entering your home.

With enough identifying information, a criminal can take over an individual's identity for a wide range of crimes, including false applications for loans and credit cards, fraudulent withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, and fraudulently obtaining goods or privileges. If the criminal has the bills for all these activities sent to another address, the victim may not become aware of what is happening until substantial damages have occurred, both to the victim's assets and to his/her reputation.

They steal wallets and purses containing your identification, credit cards and bankcards.

They steal your mail, especially bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, and tax information.

They go 'dumpster diving', rummaging through your trash, or the trash of businesses, for copies of records that typically bear your name, address, telephone number, and even your birth date and social security number.

In public places, they 'shoulder surf', watching from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling card number or credit card number.

They use personal information you share on the Internet.

They complete a 'change of address form' to divert your mail to another location.

They obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone who may have a legitimate need for, and legal right to, the information.

They scam you, often through email, or they go 'phishing' by posing as legitimate companies or government agencies you do business with.

They get your information from your workplace by stealing files from offices where you're a customer, employee, patient or student; by bribing an employee who has access to your files; or by 'hacking' into electronic files.

How to Reduce Your Risk

Remember to include your USU ID Card and university password among your list of personal data that needs to be monitored against identity theft!
Your USU Card grants accesses your debit accounts, meals, facilities, and events; and servers as your campus identification. Your university strong password grants access to all your personal data, grades, tuition payments, payroll and any other personal record about you at Utah State University. As such, we recommend the following things in helping you protect yourself from identity theft.

Protect Your Personal Information

Don't send personal or financial information via email

Typically, email systems are not encrypted, meaning they aren't secure. It's a good habit to avoid sending any private information, such as SS#s or credit card numbers, via email.

Don't send personal or financial information over unsecure websites

A website is (reasonably) secure if the url begins with https:// and if there is a locked padlock in the bottom right corner of the browser window. This means the data is encrypted after you send it until it reaches its destination.

Protect Your Personal Information on Your Computer

Know what sensitive data is stored on your computer

Identity Finder, Inc. offers a a FREE scanning tools to students to help identity which files and programs are on your machine so you can secure them properly. For more information, visit Identity Finder Inc.

Stay Safe on Public Computers

Close out of browsers

Clear your cache and close out of your browser before you leave a public computer. Browsers keep a history of sites they have visited. Browsers that are left open can allow others access to your personal information.

Beware of the "remember me" option

This option allows internet browsers to remember your login and password to secure sites. Do not use this feature when accessing sites containing restricted or high risk information. In particular, do not use this feature when on a public access computer.

Your Personal Belongings

Don't leave your personal belongings unattended. Your purse, wallet, PDA, phone, laptop, etc., all contain personal information that can be exploited at your expense. Keep these items on your person at all times while you are in public.
Shred documents that could be used to steal your identity, such as credit card offers.
Don't leave mail in an unsecure mailbox - post bills and other financial or sensitive documents in a secure US Post Office box.

What to do If You're a Victim

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft complaints are broken down as follows:

About 50% reported that a credit card was opened in their name
25% reported that the thief established new telephone, cellular, or another service in their name
16% reported that a bank account was opened in their name, or unauthorized withdrawals had been made from their account
9% reported that the thief obtained a loan in their name
8% reported that the thief obtained a fraudulent document such as a driver's license

Recommendations from the Federal Trade Commission

If you suspect that someone has used your name, Social Security number, or other personal information to get credit or a loan, the following steps can help.

Keep a record. Because recovering from identity theft can be a long and complicated process, it's important to keep a record of all communications. Send all letters by certified mail and keep copies. If you think your case might lead to a lawsuit, keep track of how much time you spend dealing with the problem.
Call the police. Report the crime to the police or sheriff's department that has jurisdiction in your case and request a police report. Though the authorities are often unable to help, a report may be necessary to help convince creditors that someone else has opened an account in your name.
Contact the Federal Trade Commission. Call the FTC's identity theft hotline at 877/438-4338 and file a complaint. The FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems itself, but your complaint may lead to law enforcement action.
Check your credit report. Get your credit report and check for any new accounts opened in your name. Because new accounts may take up to six months to show up on the report, continue to monitor your credit report.
Contact the Three Credit Reporting Agencies. Have them put a fraud alert on your file, which will aid in preventing new credit accounts from being opened without your express permission.
Freeze fraudulent accounts. Contact the appropriate creditors, banks, phone companies, and utility companies and have them freeze the accounts. You'll probably be liable for only $50 of the fraudulent charges, but different issuers have different policies. Most creditors promptly issue replacement cards with new account numbers. You may also need to contact one or more of the following government bodies, each of which will inform you of the necessary procedures.
Mail fraud If you suspect that someone has changed your address with the post office or used the mail to commit identity theft, notify the US Postal Inspector.
Fraud using your Social Security number If your Social Security number has been used to commit identity theft, call the Social Security Administration at 800/772-1213. You can order a copy of your earnings and benefits statement to check whether someone has used your Social Security number to get a job or to avoid paying taxes.
Fraud involving your driver's license number If your driver's license number has been used to open accounts or verify checks, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.
Fraud involving your passport Notify the Passport Services Department, U.S. State Department, of the identity theft so that it can intercept anyone ordering a new passport in your name. New Telephone Number: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778)
Fraud involving a business scam If the fraud was perpetrated as part of a business scam, contact the National Fraud Information Center at 800/876-7060.
Bankruptcy filed using your name If someone filed for bankruptcy using your name, write to the U.S. Trustee in the region where the bankruptcy was filed. A listing of the U.S. Trustee Program's Regions can be found at www.usdoj.gov/ust, or look in the blue pages of your phone book under US Government: Bankruptcy Administration. Your letter should describe the situation and provide proof of your identity
Important Contact Information There are a number of helpful services to help you respond if you have been a victim of identity theft. Below is a list of resources that we have compiled on your behalf.
Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline 877/ID-THEFT www.ftc.gov or FTC's Identity Theft Site
Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline 800/269-0271 www.ssa.gov
Equifax Fraud Division www.equifax.com 888/766-0008 P.O. Box 740250 Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian Fraud Division www.experian.com 888/397-3742? P.O. Box 1017 Allen, TX 75013
Trans Union Fraud Division www.transunion.com 800/680-7289 P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92634