Protect oneself against identity theft

By Jennie Miller
C & G Staff Writer

Somewhere, a stranger is lurking in the shadows, about to rifle through a trash can and pull out discarded personal information. Somewhere, a stranger is hiding around the corner, watching the mail carrier, waiting for him to drop off crucial financial statements to another victim’s home.

This crime is identity theft, and it’s happening all too often.

“One of the things I find staggering is the sheer number of people who are affected,” said Cris Mattoon, risk management manager at Michigan First Credit Union, which is headquartered in Lathrup Village. “The Federal Trade Commission estimates that annually, 8-10 million Americans will become a victim of identity theft, which is 22,000 people per day, and 15 per minute across the nation.”

Identity theft occurs when a thief is accessing files from a place of business or a place of employment, or stealing information from a mailbox, a trash can or an Internet site and using that information to commit a crime, according to Bob North, deputy chief of the Berkley Public Safety Department.

“A victim would be someone whose personal identifying information, Social Security number, driver’s license number, credit card or debit card number has been compromised in an unauthorized fashion and then used to commit a financial crime,” Mattoon explained.

In most cases, a person doesn’t even know that they have fallen victim of this type of crime.

“People usually find out after the fact,” North said.

A letter could come in the mail from a creditor weeks later, alerting the victim to the issue.

“There’s false arrest, false denial of credit or the embarrassment where someone has used your information to drain your checking account and you’re standing in line at Kroger,” Mattoon said.

Unfortunately, bringing these thieves to justice is nearly impossible.

“It’s very difficult to do,” North said. “If someone’s identity is stolen and they do something here in the city, we can do something about that. But if they get a letter saying, ‘Your information was used to make a purchase in Arizona,’ that makes it very difficult to follow up on. But at least file a police report so you can refer to a number when dealing with credit reports and things like that.”

There are many ways in which people can protect themselves against this now common crime. For example, people should not voluntarily provide an inquiring stranger with personal information.

“I don’t care how official the agency sounds, no one is going to ask you to confirm your Social Security or birth date or something like that over the phone,” North said. “Only use your credit card with people you know and trust — known businesses that have a track record. And always shred personal documents.”

Bill Harding, chief of the Internet crimes unit of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, said crosscut shredders are better than others. “There are Dumpster divers who can put it together,” he said.

Mattoon also suggests switching to an electronic billing system with financial institutions, and attempting to do away with junk mail.

“Your mailbox is a pot of gold,” Mattoon offered. “There could be a bill from a creditor or a credit card offer.”

By calling (888) 5-OPTOUT, you can add your name and address to a list that prevents companies from sending unsolicited mail, Mattoon said, adding that it doesn’t work for companies with whom someone has a pre-existing relationship, such as their current bank or credit card company.

Another option is to switch to a post office box.

“That is an excellent way to have your mail secure during the daytime,” Mattoon said, adding that he knows about this situation all too well. “I got a locking mailbox the week I found somebody rifling through my mail.”

Mattoon said it’s also important to take up the offer to have a free credit report from all three agencies once a year, to make sure your credit is intact.

“That’s one of the ways we can make sure not less than once a year that nobody has opened anything up using our information,” he explained.

“Password-protect your credit cards and bank accounts,” Harding added. “Only carry your credit cards when you intend to use them, and never carry your Social Security card.

For those who already shred, already electronically receive financial statements and regularly check their credit reports, Mattoon said it’s still important to keep your eyes open.

“Even if we’ve taken safeguards to protect ourselves, we always do have to remain constantly vigilant,” Mattoon said. “There is always a thief waiting around the corner to steal your identity another way.”

You can reach Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1108.