University of Delaware - Beware of Identity Theft

		Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when thieves steal your personal information to purchase items, establish credit, borrow money, or even obtain a driver's license in your name.

Identity theft was the most-reported complaint to the Federal Trade Commission in 2006, accounting for 246,000 of more than 675,000 complaints. The problem has intensified because of the speed, convenience and widespread use of the internet, and because people, especially students, are not aware they are targets for identity theft.

Protect Your Personal Information

Scams requesting personal information abound.

NOTICE

You will NEVER be asked to confirm your University UDelNet account information or password via e-mail in order to keep your account active.
Reputable companies and institutions DO NOT request verification of confidential information via e-mail.

Don't get phished - Watch the video!

Therefore, don't click links or open attachments in e-mails "phishing" for verification of personal or financial information.

Confirm that you are dealing with a legitimate organization before you share ANY personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet. Always use contact numbers and web addresses from monthly statements or the phonebook, NOT from phone numbers or e-mail addresses provided by an e-mail.

Verify your financial information.

Request a FREE credit report.
Thanks to The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT), individuals can request a FREE yearly credit report from each of the three credit reporting companies by going to www.AnnualCreditReport.com or calling 877-322-8228.

To ensure you are not charged, order your report ONLY through this centralized agency. You may order a free report from all three companies at one time, or at different times throughout the year.

If you find errors on your credit report...

Contact the credit reporting company immediately. They must investigate and forward your information to the company reporting the erroneous information.

Credit Bureaus			To report fraud, call:
Equifax	www.equifax.com	800-685-1111	800-525-6285
Experian	www.experian.com	888-397-3742	888-397-3742
TransUnion	www.transunion.com	800-888-4213	800-680-7289

Notify the company reporting the erroneous information in writing to dispute the charge.

Review monthly financial statements as soon as they arrive and investigate questionable charges immediately. They are often the first sign of Identity Theft.

If a regular monthly bill does not reach you, contact the company to determine the problem. A false change-of-address notice could have been posted to divert your mail and steal your identity.

Guard physical access to your information.

Mail items in a secure, official Postal Service Collection box.
Shred financial solicitations and financial statements when disposing of them.
Set up your computer securely and encrypt sensitive data.

Additional Links:

Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Consumer Information - File a complaint;
Understand, protect against and recover from Identity Theft.
Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft - an in-depth victim's assistance guide, available in printable pdf format from the Federal Trade Commission.
For Students: U.S. Department of Education's MISUSED Home Page - Identity Theft information and
Help keep your personal information safe when filling out a FAFSA.
Social Security Administration - Information about your SSN and how to report identity theft.
State of Delaware Attorney General's Office IDentity Theft information, including steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse - fact sheets to help victims determine appropriate first steps, ie.
- Fact Sheet 17a: "Identity Theft Victims Guide".
- Fact Sheet 108: "Identity Theft - Overcoming the Emotional Impact"
- Fact Sheet 113: "Should I Change My Social Security Number?"
Fight Identity Theft - the risks of identity theft and steps to protect yourself.
Federal Citizen Information Center - more tips on protecting yourself, what to do if you&39;re a victim, and shopping safely online.
Identity Theft Victim Checklist - "Red-Flag" warnings and recommended steps to take if you are a victim, from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
National Fraud Information Center - Internet fraud statistics and trends.
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility's FAQ - on Social Security Numbers and Privacy.
For further advice, call the Visa/ Call for Action Identity theft hotline: (866) ID-HOTLINE (434-6854).