Date: Feature Week of April
6, 2003
Topic: Black Press Business/Economic
Author: William Reed
Article ID: article_ema040603a
STEALING MY GOOD NAME
Sup Wit Dat?
"Who is it that can tell me who I am?" – Shakespeare
In just the past year over 100,000 African Americans, along with 600,000
others across the nation, realized the old "He who steals my purse
steals trash" adage is declining in truth these days. Identity
theft crimes continue to grow at an alarming rate, and many of the victims
are Blacks.
As African Americans gain more money and consumer power, we should be
aware that theft of our good names can occur in many ways. Scams to
bilk you can originate on the Internet, or from your garbage or mailbox.
Have you every thought that people can steal your name and consumer
power by something as simple as going through your mail or trash taking
pre-approved credit card offers, discarded credit card receipts and
other personal information? Whether they get in your trash, computer
purchases, or just by calling you on the phone acting as a solicitor;
what they are seeking, and you need to repel, is their obtaining information
such as your name, date of birth and social security number.
In order to save your good name slow your roll when it comes to releasing
personal information. Simple steps can be employed to avoid falling
prey to identity theft artists. When you order checks only have your
initials (no first name) and last name printed. Then, even if someone
gains possession of your checkbook they won't know how you sign
the checks. When you write checks to pay on credit card accounts, do
not put the complete account number on the checks "For" line.
Just put in the last four numbers, because credit card companies know
the rest of the number and it thwarts people handling your check as
it passes through check processing channels having access to it. Instead
of you home number, put your work phone number on checks. If you have
a PO Box use it instead of your home address. Use your work address
if you don't have a PO Box. Never have your Social Security number
printed on your checks.
Next, photocopy the contents of your purse or wallet. Copy both sides
of each license, credit card, etc., so you'll know the important
contents of your wallet, and all the account and phone numbers you'll
need to call and cancel. Keep these photocopies in a safe place. When
you travel, carry a photocopy of your passport.
If your purse or wallet is stolen, you are in the front of the line
to become a victim of identity theft or fraud. You need to make a move
immediately if your credit card statements show unauthorized charges
and/or purchases, or you fail to receive bills or credit card statements
for charges you've made. In these instances do three things immediately.
First, cancel the credit cards - the key here is having photocopies
of the toll free and card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Step
two is to file a police report in the jurisdiction where it the theft
occurred. Last, but not least, call the three national credit reporting
organizations - Equifax:1-800-525-6285, Experian (formerly TRW):1-888-397-3742
and Trans Union:1-800-680-7289 to place a fraud alert on your name and
Social Security number. The Social Security Administration (fraud line)
is 1-800-269-0271. The alerts to these agencies lets any company checking
your credit know that your information was stolen and they must contact
you by phone to authorize new credit.
Even if you've not experienced identity theft, once a year order
copies of your credit reports from all 3 credit-reporting agencies to
get as much information as possible. If you find inaccurate items on
any of the credit reports, contact the specific agency in writing to
let them know your concerns. Under the Federal Credit Reporting Act
they must investigate.
