# Presentation: 784516

## Presented (insert date) 
By (insert organization’s name)

- Presented (insert date)
- By (insert organization’s name)

**Notes:**
Good morning/afternoon/evening: 

Thank you for joining us today/this evening. 

I want to talk to you about a problem that has affected millions of Americans, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Tiger Woods. Chances are it has hurt someone in this room.   

The problem is identity theft.  

## PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

-  What is identity theft?
-  How does identity theft happen?
-  What can you do?
-  Deter
-  Detect
-  Defend
-  Where can you learn more?

**Notes:**
We’ll talk about what identity theft is, how it happens, what you can do to defend against it, and where you can learn more.  

[VIDEO OPTION:  If the DVD will be included in the presentation:]

I want to start by showing you a brief video on identity theft.  

[PLAY DVD.]  

## WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?

-  It occurs when someone steals your personal information –    e.g., credit card or Social Security number – and uses it fraudulently
-  It can cost you time and money
-  It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name

**Notes:**
So, identity thieves can do a lot of damage...  

 They can go on spending sprees using your credit card
 Using your name and Social Security number, they can open new  credit card accounts
 They could give your name to the police if they get arrested

## HOW DOES IDENTITY THEFT HAPPEN?

-  Identity thieves may:
-  Go through your trash or “dumpster dive”
-  Steal your wallet or purse
-  Steal your mail or submit a change of address form for your mail
-  Use “phishing” or fake emails to get you to provide personal     information
-  Steal personnel records from their employers

**Notes:**
Unfortunately, there are a lot of ways, from sophisticated computer hacking to low-tech “dumpster diving” into your trash, to old-fashioned stealing your wallet or purse.

## WHAT CAN YOU DO?

- DETER
-  Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information
- DETECT
-  Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial
-     accounts and billing statements
- DEFEND
-  Defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem

**Notes:**
While there are no ways to absolutely guarantee you’ll never be a victim of identity theft, there are ways to minimize your risk. By following the “3 D’s” of identity protection, 
we can all make it more difficult for thieves to walk away with our identities.   

The “3 D’s” are Deter, Detect, and Defend; let me tell you about some specific steps you can take to minimize your risk.   

Don’t worry about taking notes, I have handouts for you from the Federal Trade Commission.

## DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information.

- DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information.

-  Shred financial documents before discarding them
-  Protect your Social Security number
-  Don’t give out personal information unless you’re sure who
-     you’re dealing with
-  Don’t use obvious passwords
-  Keep your information secure

**Notes:**
 Shred paperwork with personal information and financial documents     before you discard them.
 Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your   Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely   necessary; you can always ask to use another identifier.  
 Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail,   or over the Internet unless you are sure who you are dealing with.  
 Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web   address you know.  
 Don’t use obvious passwords. Your mother’s maiden name, or the   last four digits of your Social Security number – all are obvious   passwords.
 Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially   if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done   in your house.

## DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial 

- DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial
- accounts and billing statements.

-  Be alert
-  Mail or bills that don’t arrive
-  Denials of credit for no reason
-  Inspect your credit report
-  Law entitles you to one free report a year from each nationwide
-     credit reporting agencies if you ask for it
-  Online:  _[www.AnnualCreditReport.com](http://www.annualcreditreport.com/)_; by phone: 1-877-322-8228;
-     or by mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281,
-     Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
-  Inspect your financial statements
-  Look for charges you didn’t make

**Notes:**

 Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts   you have and your bill paying history.  
 There are three major nationwide consumer reporting    companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – the law   requires them to give you a free copy of your credit report each   year if you ask for it.  
 www.AnnualCreditReport.com is a service created by these   three companies: It is the only authorized site where you can   order the free credit report you’re entitled to each year.  
 When asking for your credit report, you may need to provide   certain personal information, including your Social Security   number and information about your monthly bills.

## DEFEND against identity theft as soon as you suspect 

- DEFEND against identity theft as soon as you suspect
- a problem.

-  Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports by calling any one of the
-    three nationwide credit reporting companies:
-  Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
-  Experian: 1-888-397-3742
-  TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
-  Review reports carefully, looking for fraudulent activity
-  Close accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
-  File a police report
-  Contact the Federal Trade Commission

**Notes:**
 Placing a fraud alert on your credit reports tells creditors to follow   certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or   make certain changes to your existing accounts.  
 The 3 consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers   for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is   sufficient.
 It entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for   inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you   didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain.   

 To close your accounts, call the security or fraud departments of each   company where an account was opened or changed without your   okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents. 
 Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your   written statement. 
 Ask for written verification that the disputed account has been   closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.

 The FTC is the federal consumer protection agency that helps law   enforcement officials in their investigations.

## WHERE CAN YOU LEARN MORE?

- Online: 		ftc.gov/idtheft
- By phone: 	1-877-ID-THEFT
- By mail: 	Identity Theft Clearinghouse
- 		Federal Trade Commission
- 		600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 		Washington, DC 20580

**Notes:**
I’d like to distribute the handouts now. I hope you learned that you can Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft. 

I appreciate your time and attention.    

Any questions? I can try to answer them. In any case, I can direct you to people who definitely will know the answer. They’re at the FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, and they can be reached by the contact information on this slide.