Only You Can Prevent Identity Theft

[Ban Hammer 14,286]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chances are that someone is watching you, wanting to become you by stealing your personal information.

KMBC's Jim Flink reported that scams are so prevalent, police said they can't prosecute them all.

No. 5: Social Security Number Theft

One of the top scams is a stolen Social Security number.

"Usually they find out when they receive their tax statements. The government is about to audit them," Kansas City Police Detective Arthur Miranda said.

Flink reported that you should check your credit report, monitor your Social Security earning statements and monitor your mail for any unusual activity.

No. 4: Mailbox Theft

Miranda said people often sift through mailboxes to get pre-approved credit card offers and other vital information

"A lot of people go to put their mail out in the box, put the flag up, which says, 'Hey, I've got personal information in here.' It's an invitation to a crook," Miranda said.

Flink reported that you can tell credit card companies to stop sending you offers. Use the post office, not your mailbox to mail bills, or pay bills online. Experts also recommend that you shred everything, including bills and offers, before you put them in the trash.

No. 3: Online Shopping Scams

If you're shopping online, do a little homework before you hand over your money.

"You want to know who you're doing business with. Do a background check. Do a little homework. Don't just send money to the first person who pops up online. Find out more before you send them money," Miranda said.

Flink reported that you can use a third party pay service such as PayPal. You can also check the seller's background and ratings and call them if necessary. Police said you should be skeptical of offers too good to be true.

No. 2: Counterfeit Money Orders

Watch out for counterfeit money orders. The scam works this way: Someone accidentally overpays you for something you're selling. You deposit the check and send them cash.

"A week later, police have a case on file of a counterfeit check with your name on it," Miranda said.

Miranda said that you should not cash a check or send money back to someone who says they've overpaid you.

No. 1: Phishing For Info

Flink reported that you should beware of phishing scams online, over the phone and even in person. Information is what scammers are looking for, such as personal information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses and phone numbers.

Miranda said you should not answer e-mails asking for your information. Real businesses do not do that online. Don't respond to pop up and never give your personal information online, over the phone or in person to a stranger.

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[Nessa 23]

that's pretty much common sense

[MissStacey 1]

I've been meaning to ask this for a while. When it comes to SSN- when is it acceptable to give out and not give out your SSN?

I know you need to give your SSN to an employer, and I know you give it out when you get a drivers license or open a bank account. What other times is it used?

And for what kind of things can you refuse to give out the SSN because it isn't their business?

[Ban Hammer 14,286]

I've been meaning to ask this for a while. When it comes to SSN- when is it acceptable to give out and not give out your SSN?

I know you need to give your SSN to an employer, and I know you give it out when you get a drivers license or open a bank account. What other times is it used?

And for what kind of things can you refuse to give out the SSN because it isn't their business?

Protecting the new SSN

If the application is approved and a new number is assigned, SSA will keep the new number and records confidential. SSA will not furnish the number to unauthorized third parties. (Note that SSA is authorized to provide the new SSN to agencies and organizations listed under the "SSA's Cross Referral and Disclosure Policies" section of this Information Alert.) Therefore, victims of harassment, abuse, or life endangerment must be careful about sharing the new number with those who ask for it. Here are some suggestions on how to minimize the number of organizations that will have access to the new SSN:

Employers and financial institutions will likely need the SSN for wage and tax reporting purposes. Other private businesses may need the SSN to do a credit check, such as when applying for a car loan. Sometimes, however, they simply want the SSN for general record keeping. It is not necessary to give a business the SSN just because they ask for it. However, a business may not provide the service or benefit if a SSN is not provided. These questions will help the individual decide whether sharing the SSN with the business is worth the service or benefit. If someone asks for the SSN, ask the following questions:

Why do you need my SSN?

How will my SSN be used?

What law requires me to give you my SSN?

What will happen if I don't give you my SSN?

Before revealing any personally identifying information, find out how it will be used and whether it will be shared by others. Ask if there is a choice about the use of personal information: can it be kept confidential?

Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless the contact was self-initiated or you know who you are dealing with.

Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Tear or shred copies of credit applications or any documents that contain identity information before discarding them.

Find out who has access to your personal information at work and verify that the record is kept in a secure location.

Give your SSN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.

Do not carry your SSN card; keep it in a secure place to prevent loss or theft.

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credit applications, yes. medical uses for identifying you and for billing, yes. work related for paying you and reporting taxes, yes. no, your boss probably does not need it. the average department store, no, unless you are filling out a credit application with them. anytime a business asks for it, ask why they need it. if the answer sounds flakey, take your business elsewhere.

[MissStacey 1]

Awesome!! Thank you!!

[pedroh 21]

it'd be easier if most people left their ss card @ home.. why do people carry their ss card with them?! it doesn't say you have to carry it with you... NOOBS..

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

it'd be easier if most people left their ss card @ home.. why do people carry their ss card with them?! it doesn't say you have to carry it with you... NOOBS..

Mine is in my wallet because I forgot to take it out and put it back. I took it out a few weeks ago when I needed to do an I-9.

[FVA 0]

Flink reported that you can tell credit card companies to stop sending you offers.

how would one go about doing this?

[Marc and Olga 0]

Flink reported that you can tell credit card companies to stop sending you offers.

how would one go about doing this?

Write the credit reporting agencies and telling them to place you on the no pre-approved list...

[babonsi 0]

Flink reported that you can tell credit card companies to stop sending you offers.

how would one go about doing this?

My husband and I both used to receive literally tens of preapproved offers in the mail, daily ... After having read an article about it, we used OptOutPrescreen over a year ago and the offers suddenly stopped, about 1 month after submitting the request. They do ask for your SSN, but we did our homework before going through with it and concluded it was legit and secure.

As of today, our mailbox is still free of preapproved offers.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

that's pretty much common sense

I know that you have heard or read that common sense is not common...

[Jasman0717 9]

Stop using credit cards

[FVA 0]

Flink reported that you can tell credit card companies to stop sending you offers.

how would one go about doing this?

Write the credit reporting agencies and telling them to place you on the no pre-approved list...

My husband and I both used to receive literally tens of preapproved offers in the mail, daily ... After having read an article about it, we used OptOutPrescreen over a year ago and the offers suddenly stopped, about 1 month after submitting the request. They do ask for your SSN, but we did our homework before going through with it and concluded it was legit and secure.

As of today, our mailbox is still free of preapproved offers.

thanks, guys! i really need to do this, the offers are getting out of control!

Stop using credit cards

you have to if you're planning on buying a house.

[pedroh 21]

and don't carry the SS cards with yoU!!! thats an invitation to ID theft.. I've seen alotta people carryint theirs, and some ladies, carrying all their kids SS's... #######

[Jasman0717 9]

Flink reported that you can tell credit card companies to stop sending you offers.

how would one go about doing this?

Write the credit reporting agencies and telling them to place you on the no pre-approved list...

My husband and I both used to receive literally tens of preapproved offers in the mail, daily ... After having read an article about it, we used OptOutPrescreen over a year ago and the offers suddenly stopped, about 1 month after submitting the request. They do ask for your SSN, but we did our homework before going through with it and concluded it was legit and secure.

As of today, our mailbox is still free of preapproved offers.

thanks, guys! i really need to do this, the offers are getting out of control!

Stop using credit cards

you have to if you're planning on buying a house.

I'm selling this place and paying cash for a house in western Colorado when I retire.