According to The Office of the Illinois Attorney General, “Identity theft occurs when someone uses personal information such as your name, social security number, or bank account number without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.”

Identity theft is a growing crime that leaves thousands of consumers, including senior adults, fighting each year to clear their name and correct their credit history report after thieves establish fraudulent credit accounts in their name.

Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to gain access to your personal information, such as stealing your wallet or purse, stealing your mail, paying someone at a store, restaurant, or hotel for information about you, taking information about you from the Internet, or even tricking you into telling them your information over the telephone.

While there’s no sure way to prevent identity theft, the Better Business Bureau advises the following safety measures to minimize your risks –

1. Don’t reveal any of your personal information to a stranger (credit card and bank account numbers, social security number, etc.)
2. Don’t carry your Social Security card; leave it in a secure place. Give out your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary.
3. Pay attention to your billing cycles. Contact your creditors immediately if your bill doesn’t show up on time.
4. Minimize the number of credit cards you carry; only carry the ones you need.
5. Guard your mail from theft and put your outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office, not your mailbox.
6. Keep items with personal information in a safe place and tear or shred your discarded charge card receipts, insurance forms, bank checks and statements, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.

If you become a victim, it is extremely important that you act immediately to stop the thief’s further use of your identity. Report the crime to the police. Call your bank and credit card issuers. Ask that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.

If someone is using your Social Security number, contact your local Social Security office. Ask to find out if you need to get a new Social Security number. Social Security can answer specific questions and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.

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