Florida Consumer E-Newsletter
March 2005
Download PDF version [938K PDF]
A Message From the Commissioner...
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Dear Friends: Identity theft is a growing concern for consumers everywhere. Your personal information is needed to conduct business and financial transactions, but this often leaves your information vulnerable to criminals. Your personal information can be used fraudulently to obtain credit and services in your name, damaging your credit rating and jeopardizing your financial stability. There are simple steps you, as a consumer, can take |
Remember, we're here for you. Our Consumer Hotline: calling within Florida 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), outside of Florida 850-488-2221, en Españo! 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832), will answer any consumer related questions you may have about identity theft, or visit us online.
Charles H. Bronson
Commissioner
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Identity Theft - Stay Informed, Be Protected
Because of the nature of the crime, victims often do not realize their identity has been stolen until they are denied credit, turned down for a job or sent a bill for purchases they did not make. By managing your personal information wisely, cautiously and with an awareness of potential threat, you can help guard against identity theft. Here are some quick tips to insure the security of your financial identity:
- Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year (they are required to send you a free copy at your request, every 12 months - starting in Florida on June 1, 2005).
| Equifax (1-800-685-1111) |
Experian (1-888-397-3742) |
TransUnion (1-800-888-4213) |
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Mail payments for bills from post office collection boxes and not from your place of residence.
Store social security cards, credit cards, cancelled and extra checks, passports and any additional identity documentation in a secure place, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having service work done in your home. -
Remove extraneous information such as middle name, phone number, social security number or driver's license number from your checks.
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Review credit card, telephone, cellular phone and bank statements for irregularities and be aware of your billing cycles. Contact creditors immediately if you find a discrepancy. Close all accounts that are no longer needed or used. Write the company a letter and ask them to verify, in writing, that the account has been closed.
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Use passwords on all your accounts. Avoid picking easily determined numbers such as birth date, mother's maiden name or last four digits of your social security number.
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To thwart an identity thief who may pick through your trash or recycling bins to capture your personal information, tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you're discarding and credit offers you get in the mail.
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Ask about information security procedures in your workplace or at businesses, doctors' offices or other institutions that collect personally identifying information from you. Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that it is handled securely. Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well. Find out if your information will be shared with anyone else. If so, ask if you can keep your information confidential.
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Send "opt out" letters to businesses you have a relationship with, restricting them from selling, renting, distributing, or exchanging your personal information. Advise the three major credit bureaus you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes. To stop receiving pre-approved credit offers call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688).
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If you are planning to be away from your home and can't pick up your mail, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a vacation hold or make the request at your local post office. The Postal Service will hold your mail at your local post office.
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Use a firewall program (software or hardware that helps screen out hackers, viruses and worms that try to reach your computer over the Internet) on your computer if you use a high speed internet connection that leaves your account connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
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Update virus protection software on your computer regularly. Viruses can divert your private information or render your information accessible to outsiders if these updates are not preformed.
For more information please visit our website. You can also call our consumer hotline (1-800-HELP-FLA, 435-7352) and a consumer specialist will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
Florida Identity Theft Statistics
(information provided by the Federal Trade Commission - 1/22/04) |
Florida ranks number five for states that have reported cases of identity theft (14,119 cases reported in Florida for 2003). Below are some figures reported to the Federal Trade Commission for 2003.
Method of Identity Theft |
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| Credit Card Fraud | 36% |
| Phone or Utilities Fraud | 20% |
| Other Identity Theft Methods | 20% |
| Bank Fraud | 19% |
| Employment Related Fraud | 8% |
| Government Documents/Benefit Fraud | 8% |
| Attempted Identity Theft | 8% |
| Loan Fraud | 6% |
Florida's Top 5 Cities for ID Theft
1. Miami
2. Orlando
3. Tampa
4. Jacksonville
5. Fort Lauderdale
Additional Resources
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Identity Theft, How to Avoid: Did you know that your personal information can be stolen? It's hard to believe, but if you aren't careful with your personal information you may be an easy target for identity theft. Review this brochure to see how you can avoid becoming a victim of identity theft! (en Español)
United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
Provides information on the prevention and prosecution of identity theft.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) for pamphlets that deal with identity theft and privacy of personal information.
Florida Computer Crime Center (FC3)
This site is brought to you by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Computer crime can take many forms. It is an expanding criminal activity, with new methods developing every day. Varieties of computer crime include anything from Internet fraud to viruses to Cyberstalking. Identity Theft Brochure [487 PDF]
Identity Theft Survival Kit
Prevention and Survival of Identity Theft, 1-800-725-0807
