Identity theft for dummies

✍ Scribed by Michael J. Arata Jr.

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 276
• Series: For dummies
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Practical solutions to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theftIn 2008, 9.9 million Americans became victims of identity theft. The cost exceeded $48 billion in 2008; consumers spend some $5 billion out-of-pocket each year to clear up resulting fraud issues. This guide will help keep you from becoming the next victim.Written by a veteran security professional, Identity Theft For Dummies gives you the tools to recognize what information is vulnerable, minimize your risk, stay safe online, and practice damage control if your identity is compromised.If you have a name, a date of birth, and a Social Security number, you're a potential victim; this book helps you recognize your risk and defend against identity thieves Explains what identity theft is, how it happens, and how to recognize if you have become a victimShows how to protect your personal information, how to be discreet in public places, how to interpret your credit report, and why you should monitor your financial statementsHelps you recognize risks you may not have considered, such as what you set at the curb on trash dayProvides advice on how to clear your name if you are victimizedIdentity Theft For Dummies arms you to fight back against this growing threat.

✦ Table of Contents

Identity Theft For Dummies®......Page 2
Author’s Acknowledgments......Page 4
Contents at a Glance......Page 6
Table of Contents......Page 8
Foolish Assumptions......Page 15
How This Book Is Organized......Page 16
Icons Used in This Book......Page 18
Where to Go from Here......Page 19
Part I: Getting the Scoop on Identity Theft......Page 20
Taking a Look at the Fastest Growing Crime......Page 22
Knowing What Information Is Vulnerable......Page 25
The Role of Technology in Identity Theft......Page 30
Safeguarding Your Information in Everyday Ways......Page 33
Finding Your Allies......Page 35
Getting Back Your Identity and Your Good Reputation......Page 36
Tips for Preventing Identity Theft......Page 39
Government Laws to Protect You......Page 46
Steps to Take If You’re a Victim......Page 48
Part II: Determining Whether You’re a Victim......Page 54
Suspecting a Thief at Your Mailbox......Page 56
Recognizing When Something Is Wrong, and What You Can Do about It......Page 57
Checking Your Monthly Financial Statements for Surprises......Page 66
Checking Your Bank Statement Religiously......Page 68
Identifying an Unwelcome Doppelganger......Page 69
Reviewing Investment Account Statements......Page 72
Online Banking......Page 73
What Is a Credit Report?......Page 74
Obtaining Your Credit Report......Page 76
Reviewing the Telltale Information on Your Credit Report......Page 80
Disputing Your Credit Report......Page 88
Part III: Being Smart with Your Sensitive Information......Page 90
Discovering Where Your Personal Information Hides......Page 92
Keeping Your Information Safe but Available......Page 102
Knowing When to Hold ’Em, When to Fold ’Em, and When to Shred ’Em......Page 104
Protecting Your Mail......Page 109
Watching What You Throw Away......Page 110
Carrying Minimal Personal Information......Page 117
The Walls Have Ears and Eyes......Page 121
Keeping Track of Important Things......Page 123
Ordering Stuff by Phone......Page 125
Part IV: Arming Yourself against Potential Identity Theft......Page 127
Sizing Up Identity Theft Protection Companies......Page 129
Identity Theft Prevention Services......Page 131
Comparing Costs and Services......Page 134
Uncovering the Benefits of an Identity Theft Prevention Company......Page 140
Reviewing Dispute Resolution Methods......Page 141
Being Stingy with Your Personal Information: Don’t Give It Out Freely......Page 145
A Method to Their Madness: How Identity Thieves Suck You In......Page 155
Part V: Safeguarding Electronic Information......Page 157
Ordering Stuff Online......Page 159
Understanding Common Online Threats......Page 161
Implementing Security through Windows Security Center......Page 165
Identifying and Implementing Other Security Safeguards......Page 166
Devising a Security Plan......Page 176
Wielding Windows Security Center Tools......Page 178
Windows Defender......Page 190
Engaging User Account Control in XP and Vista......Page 196
Windows 7 Security......Page 202
Part VI: Taking Back Your Good Name......Page 204
Filling Out the Initial Reports......Page 206
Taking Care of Compromised Accounts: The First Steps......Page 212
Getting Straight with the Government......Page 214
Closing Bank Accounts......Page 219
Closing Credit Accounts......Page 224
Opening New Bank Accounts......Page 228
Opening New Credit Accounts......Page 233
Part VII: The Part of Tens......Page 235
Follow a Checklist......Page 237
Complete a Fraud Affidavit......Page 238
Follow Up......Page 239
Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report......Page 240
File a Police Report......Page 241
Report Your Stolen Checks to One of the Check Verification Companies......Page 242
Close Compromised Accounts......Page 243
Web Sites......Page 244
Credit Report Services......Page 246
Registration Services......Page 247
Major Banking Institutions......Page 248
Use a Firewall......Page 249
Use a Spyware Blocking Program......Page 250
Update Your Operating System......Page 251
Create Strong Passwords......Page 252
Increase Internet Explorer Security Settings......Page 253
Protect Shared Files......Page 254
Don’t Open or Reply to Unknown E-Mails......Page 255
Phishing......Page 256
The Bank Examiner Scam......Page 257
Phone Fraud......Page 258
Card Verification......Page 259
Bogus Charities......Page 260
Bogus Invoices......Page 261
Temporary Suspension of Your Account......Page 262
Job Scams......Page 263
Index......Page 264