MSU-Northern ITS: IT Security

Information Technology Services: Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime. And identity is much more than just credit.

Identity theft itself is nothing new--it has been going on for decades, it just that it has become so much easier to steal and sell identity information. Data breaches in the U.S. over the past few years have exposed information from virtually every adult in the U.S. and that information is now open for possible fraud.

People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years – and thousands of dollars – cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit.

Information scam artists want

Social Security number
credit card numbers
bank account numbers
driver's license number
birthdate
home address and phone number
health insurance information

What they can do with it

Go on spending sprees using your credit and debit card account numbers to buy “big-ticket” items like computers that they can easily sell.
Open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and SSN. When they don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
Change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on the account. Because the bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there’s a problem.
Take out loans in your name & not keep up with payments
Establish phone or other utility services in your name. Or run up charges on an existing account
Counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
Open a new bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
They may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, and drain your bank account.
Use your name to get government benefits
All of a sudden the IRS is after you because you owe back taxes
Get a driver's license with your name & their picture
Give your name to the police during an arrest. If they are released and don’t show up for their court date, an arrest warrant could be issued in your name.
You get turned down for a job because a background check says you’re a convicted felon.

Ok... So what can I do to protect myself?

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Quick Links Help Desk - 3765 ITS Home IT Security Services Information About... Site Index In this section... IT Security Stay Updated! Passwords Data Security Firewalls Virus Protection While Traveling... Types of Threats E-mail Safety & Spam Phishing Identity Theft Protecting Yourself Victims: What to Do Fraud Alerts/Credit Freezes Malware Web Surfing Safely Social Networks Online Harassment Copyrights & Peer-to- Peer (P2P) Applications Related Links (external) MSU Security Web Site Help Desk MSU-Northern students, faculty and staff - Use the ITS Help Desk as the first point of contact for your technology problems, questions & services! Information Technology Services Help Desk Walk-in Support: Cowan Hall 117B Telephone Support: 265-3765 E-Mail Support: itstech Last Updated: 18-Jun-2009
	Information Technology Services: Identity Theft Identity theft is a serious crime. And identity is much more than just credit. Identity theft itself is nothing new--it has been going on for decades, it just that it has become so much easier to steal and sell identity information. Data breaches in the U.S. over the past few years have exposed information from virtually every adult in the U.S. and that information is now open for possible fraud. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years – and thousands of dollars – cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. Information scam artists want Social Security number credit card numbers bank account numbers driver's license number birthdate home address and phone number health insurance information What they can do with it Go on spending sprees using your credit and debit card account numbers to buy “big-ticket” items like computers that they can easily sell. Open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and SSN. When they don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on the account. Because the bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there’s a problem. Take out loans in your name & not keep up with payments Establish phone or other utility services in your name. Or run up charges on an existing account Counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account. Open a new bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account. They may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, and drain your bank account. Use your name to get government benefits All of a sudden the IRS is after you because you owe back taxes Get a driver's license with your name & their picture Give your name to the police during an arrest. If they are released and don’t show up for their court date, an arrest warrant could be issued in your name. You get turned down for a job because a background check says you’re a convicted felon. Ok... So what can I do to protect myself? Top of page Return to Types of Threats		Did you know? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Resources FTC ID Theft Web Site: MT DOJ ID Theft website FREE annual credit reports Opt out of pre-screened credit card offers SonicWALL's phishing and spam IQ quiz Report Security Incidents Report stolen devices (laptops, PDAs, etc) and suspected computer break-ins to ITS immediately. The sooner we know about an incident, the sooner we can respond, potentially limiting any damage.