What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, address, Social Security number (SSN), debit or credit card account number or other identifying information without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. They steal your personal or business information and use it to open credit cards, take out loans, rent apartments, make long distance calls or even to engage in illegal acts. Identity theft is the fastest growing federal crime in America today, and carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison with a maximum fine of $250,000.

How can someone steal my identity?

Identity thieves use a variety of low- and high-tech methods to gain access to your personal information. These methods range from simply stealing your mail or trash to obtaining your information online through a computer. An employee may access information on the job and use it to commit fraud, a dishonest salesclerk might swipe your card twice without your knowledge, your purse or wallet may be stolen, someone may help themselves to your financial information in your home or submit a change of address card to divert your mail to a different location. All of these methods and more are being used by thieves every day.

Should I use a credit monitoring service?

Using a credit monitoring service may be the best way for you to protect your business against fraud. Credit monitoring service check your credit report on a fixed interval (as often as daily), and can alert you to any discrepancies that may arise.
Reputable credit monitoring services use the latest encryption, consumer screening and data technology security to ensure that your information is protected.
Enrolling in a credit monitoring service will not hurt your credit. You, as a business owner, have the right to look at your credit report without it affecting your credit. More information on credit monitoring services and credit reports is available by clicking here.

How would I know if my business is a victim of identity theft?

Unfortunately, most victims are unaware they have become an identity theft victim until they apply for credit and are turned down, or when they receive calls from debt collectors stating they are behind in payments on accounts they never opened. Experts report it could take up to a year before you even become aware that your business is a victim. Keeping a close eye on your credit profile, as supplied by the three major credit reporting agencies, is the best way to be proactive against identity theft. One free credit report per year can be requested from each credit bureau. To monitor your credit report, consider requesting a report and review it for incorrect information and any new and unauthorized activity. To request reports, click here.

Take these steps to protect your business from online identity theft

Tips to help you avoid online fraud:

• Do not send sensitive information via unsecured email or text message.
• Never click on a link or download files that are within an email from an unknown sender.
• Always conduct online business from a secure website. The web address should start with https:// or will have a lock icon near the web address.
• Keep your computer updated with the most recent anti-spyware and anti-virus software.

Tips to help you protect your Online Banking account:

• Create passwords that use letters, symbols and numbers and are hard to guess. Do not write down or tell others your password.
• Log out of your business account when you are done viewing your information online.
• Be cautious of your surroundings when viewing your business account via mobile devices or public computers.
• Monitor your business accounts often in order to quickly catch any unauthorized activity. 

Tips to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft

• Store personal records such as tax and mortgage records outside the workplace, therefore limiting access. 
• Monitor internal bookkeeping for unauthorized withdrawals and purchases. 
• Monitor accounts online instead of waiting for a paper statement, or consider a credit monitoring service to alert you to suspicious activity. 
• Shred statements and applications you get in the mail that you don’t want to keep including credit card applications, insurance forms, financial statements, health forms, billing statements for utilities, phone service, etc. 
• Cut up expired credit and debit cards, cutting through the numbers. 
• Protect your Social Security number, all account numbers and your passwords. Don’t carry these numbers in your wallet. Give out your Social Security number only if absolutely necessary and offer to provide another type of personal identifier, if possible. 
• Minimize the personal information you print on checks. You don’t need to include your Social Security number, phone number or driver’s license number. 
• Monitor your bank and credit card transactions for unauthorized transactions. Crooks with your account number generally start with small transactions to see if you’ll notice. 
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills do not arrive on time, follow up with your creditors. 
• Don’t create obvious passwords, such as your birth date, child’s name or birth date, mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security number. 
• If you conduct business online, use your own computer. A public computer is less secure. 
• Never respond to emails requesting you to “verify” your personal information and identifiers. Your bank, credit card company, online payment system and the IRS –will not call or email asking for your confidential information. They already have it. 
• Never use email to communicate sensitive personal information such as your user name, password, Social Security number or credit card number. 
• Don’t use your cell phone or any other electronic mobile device to store credit card numbers or other financial information. 
• Don’t store passwords, tax returns or other financial information on your computer hard drive. 
• Back up your computer data and store it away from your computer. 
• Keep your computer system and browser software up to date and set to the highest security level you can tolerate.   

Review your business’ credit reports.

Check your business’ credit reports from all three credit bureaus for any inaccuracies or unusual activity. You can find information on how to receive credit reports by clicking here.

Place a fraud alert on your business’ credit reports.

If you notice any inaccuracies on your business’ credit report, contact the credit grantor or file a dispute with either the credit grantor or the credit bureaus Equifax, Experian and/or Trans Union. For information on contacting any of those click here.

Close the fraudulent accounts.

Any accounts that appear on your business’ credit report that you know were not opened by you should be closed immediately to prevent the identity thief from causing more damage to your credit. Call the security or fraud department of the company that the fraudulent account(s) are with. Most companies have experience with identity theft and will work with you to correct the problem.

File a report.

You should file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by clicking here or calling their Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT. Also, be sure to file a report with the local police department. If the identity theft was committed outside of your community, you should also file a report with the police department in the community the crime was committed.

If you think your Clearview business account may be a victim of identity theft contact Clearview immediately at 1-800-926-0003