Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Before discussing ways to minimize your chances of falling victim to identity theft, it is important to understand exactly what it is.  The legal definition reads:

ORS: 165.800 Identity Theft.

1. A person commits the crime of identity theft if the person, with the intent to deceive or to defraud, obtains, possesses, transfers, creates, utters or converts to the person's own use the personal identification of another person.
2. Identity theft is a Class C felony.
3. Personal identification: includes, but is not limited to any written document or electronic data that does, or purports to, provide information concerning
   1. A person's name, address or telephone number
   2. A person's driving privileges
   3. A person's Social Security number or tax identification number
   4. A person's citizenship status or alien identification number
   5. A person's employment status, employer or place of employment
   6. The identification number assigned to a person by a person's employer
   7. The maiden name of a person or person's mother
   8. The identifying number of a person's depository account at a financial institution, as defined in ORS 706.008, or a credit card account.
   9. A person' signature or a copy of a person' signature
   10. A person's electronic mail name, electronic mail signature, electronic mail address or electronic mail account
   11. A person's photograph
   12. A person's date of birth
   13. A person's personal identification number, [1999 c.1022 §1;2001 c.870 §3]

The best way to guard against identity theft is to guard your personal information as much as possible.

1. That means keeping documents bearing the type of information listed above, in a secure place where it is not likely to be lost, mislaid, or stolen.
2. We suggest that you keep readily available only those documents that you need frequently, and store the others safely.
3. Safety deposit boxes and fire safes are an excellent way of storing such documents.
4. Hiding places are another way to protect such documents. Just don't forget where your hiding places are!
5. Don't keep documents, with sensitive personal information, that you no longer need. You will need to think about that carefully, because you do not want to destroy any records you may need later.
6. Store you supply of checks, other than the checkbook you are currently using, in a secure place. Do not leave the extra checks where anyone could get access to them.
7. Store your Social Security Card and Birth Certificate in a safe place.
8. Keep your driver's license and checkbook with you at all times, whenever practical. When impractical, store them somewhere that offers a measure of protection or safety. Do not leave them lying around. Do not leave any such documents in your unattended vehicle.
9. If you must leave a purse in your vehicle, do so before driving to your destination. If you place it in your trunk after driving to your destination, it just lets everyone around see that you are placing something valuable in your trunk.
10. Pick up your mail as soon as possible after it is delivered. Avoid leaving any mail in your mailbox overnight, outgoing or incoming.
11. Don't preprint your checks with too much personal information about yourself. If the merchant requires more information you can show them your driver's license upon completion of the check.
12. Consider a post office box, and use that as your mailing address for your business transactions.
13. Don't give out personal information unless it's necessary - especially to persons via the telephone.
14. Don't lend your credit card(s) or identification to anyone.
15. Never give your PIN (Personal Identification Number) for your ATM card to anyone.
16. Don't write your PIN down on your ATM card.
17. Rather than just throw away papers and documents with personal information on them, shred them.

If you suspect that you are the victim of identity theft, we request that you look into the matter before calling the police.  The reason for that is that most person reporting identity theft report it to the wrong police agency.  The crime of identity theft occurs where the transaction for the merchandise or services took place.  Most victims report such crimes to the police in the area where they live, which takes up valuable time and resources for local police, and slows the process for the victim.

If you get a bill or a past due/collection that leads you to believe that you are the victim of identity theft be sure to do the following:

1. If you suspect your ATM card or credit card was used in a theft, notify your financial institution(s) at once. This will allow them to cancel or deactivate the cards to prevent further losses.
2. Find out from your financial institutions where the suspicious transactions took place. Once you know the location(s) you will need to report the fraud to the police agency where the transaction took place.
3. You may need to complete an "affidavit of forgery". Contact your financial institution regarding this.
4. Contact the business(es) involved and request as much information as possible about the transaction. (Example: what as purchased, the date of the transaction, etc. )
5. If the transaction was internet based, contact the merchant and find out where the merchandise was delivered. In that case, the police agency that covers the address where the merchandise was delivered to, is the agency with jurisdiction.

For more information regarding identity theft review these sites:
U.S. Government's Website
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)
Federal Trade Commission Hotline Number 1-877-438-4338