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Identity Theft & Taxes: What the IRS Recommends

In the wake of tax season, the Internal Revenue Service has issued a statement warning Americans about how to spot and rectify identity theft that may affect their taxes. Identity theft can be a difficult crime to deal with, and can cost victims hours of time and even money to repair.

Here’s a look at what you need to know about identity theft and your taxes.

• The IRS does not initiate contact by email. If you receive an email from someone claiming to be the IRS, report it as spam and do not click on any links or provide any of your personal information.
• Pay attention to any snail mail contact. If the IRS contacts you by postal mail and indicates that multiple tax forms were filed in your name or that records show you received wages from an employer you don’t know, you should suspect possible identity theft.
• Contact the IRS. If and when you receive a notice from the IRS by mail that indicates unusual or suspicious activity, you should contact the IRS by responding to the address or number provided on the form you received.
• Check your credit report. If you’re interested in knowing more about whether your identity might be at risk, visit www.AnnualCeditReport.com to check your credit report for any suspicious activity. You are entitled to view a credit report from each of the three major reporting bureaus for free once per year.

It’s best to act quickly if you suspect identity theft related to your taxes, because if someone else filed a tax return in your name (or using your Social Security Number), that person could be eligible for a return – and you might not get one.

Online Resources to Protect Yourself

One of the best ways to combat identity theft is to prevent it. And, seeing as identity theft can cost serious money (and even triggers bankruptcy filings for some victims), it’s never too soon to start protecting yourself, your sensitive information and your money.

The Federal Trade Commission, the IRS and a number of other government organizations have teamed up to create the web site OnGuardOnline.gov, which offers information, tools and tips for staying safe in the digital world.

The site’s online resources include:

• Detailed instructions for dealing with identity theft (tax-related or otherwise);
• Pointers for keeping your information, accounts and passwords safe at WiFi hotspots;
• A number of games designed to educate users about various digital risks and how to protect against them;
• Informative videos that include expert interviews and how-tos designed to help people stay on top of digital and cyber safety; and
• Tools to use to protect yourself in your everyday life.

Posted in Credit Report, Identity Theft, Legal Info, Taxes, prevent identity theft | Comments Off

Celebrate Financial Literacy Month

The Federal Trade Commission has announced that April is National Financial Literacy Month and, as such, a great opportunity for Americans of all ages to brush up their financial smarts to make the most of their money, credit and financial future.

So what kinds of things can you do to celebrate financial literacy month? The FTC recommends checking out these services.

• Money Matters: This web site has information in both English and Spanish about essential financial literacy topics including debt collection, credit repair scams, vehicle repossession, job hunting, job offer scams, foreclosure rescue scams, budgeting for mortgage payments and more. Whether you prefer quick tips or more in-depth videos, this site has information to help you.
• Free Annual Credit Reports: Here, the FTC explains how and why Americans are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major reporting bureaus once each year. This site also provides information about why it’s important to check your credit report regularly and where you can get your no-strings attached, truly free credit report (www.annualcreditreport.com).
• You Are Here: This site is geared toward children and provides them interactive online games that teach them about advertising, competition and steps they can take to protect their privacy and prevent identity theft.

Why Does Financial Literacy Matter?

So why does our country need a financial literacy month in the first place? In recent years, tests administered to high school students yielded almost no passing scores and, as we are still collectively learning, ignorance about financial matters (such as how mortgages work) on a grand scale can lead to devastating financial fallout for the entire economy.

In addition to those resources provided by the FTC, consider visiting these sites as part of your financial literacy month celebration:

• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: This page explains who is protected by the FDCPA and what the law prohibits from debt collectors. Understanding your consumer rights is one powerful way to make sure you aren’t victimized by scammers or dishonest debt collectors.
• The Bankruptcy Glossary: Thinking of filing for bankruptcy protection? You may want to start here as you consider what bankruptcy might mean for you. This page offers plain-English definitions for many terms commonly used in bankruptcy cases.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: The government’s new consumer protection body is still growing, but already offers a number of interactive options for people interested in staying up-to-date about consumer protection rules, laws and debates.

Remember: the only one responsible for your money, retirement fund, loan payments and other financial obligations is you. If you aren’t sure how your money is working (or not working) for you, it’s a good idea to take the time to educate yourself about basic financial literacy matters – the resources are out there and they’re free.

Posted in FTC, Financial Literacy, Identity Theft, Mortgage Foreclosure | Comments Off

Protect Your Money: Avoid Charity Scams

The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan have left many people in the United States eager to offer financial aid to the country and its citizens. But, as the Federal Trade Commission warns, it’s easy to get duped by unscrupulous scammers posing as charitable organizations.

Here’s a look at some of the FTC’s tips for making sure your money actually goes to people in need.

What to Look for in a Charity

According to the FTC, it’s important to take these steps before donating to any charity online, in person, over the phone or via postal mail:

• Ask for the name of the charity, particularly if the solicitor does not immediately provide it. Check online to see whether the charity has a legitimate web site, Better Business Bureau accreditation and/or any consumer complaints posted on discussion forums.
• Ask what percentage of your money will go towards charitable causes. If the solicitor cannot answer the question or is cagey, this is a warning sign. You have a right to know where your money is going, and if you think too little is slated for the actual cause, simply refuse a donation and find another charity with better donation policies (web sites like the BBB’s Wise Giving page and Charity Navigator can offer you alternatives).
• Check with the charity that the solicitor is legitimate. In some cases, scam artists might pose as charity workers with a legitimate organization. If you’re uncomfortable giving money or a check to a person you don’t know, call the charity to verify any information you’ve been given. You can also choose to donate directly to the charity online or through the mail.
• Don’t part with your sensitive information. Nobody should pressure you into revealing your credit card or bank account information. Wait until you’ve made a decision in your own time and only provide such information on secure web sites. This can help you avoid raising your risk of identity theft.
• Ask for a receipt. Any time you make a donation to a legitimate charity, you should get a receipt indicating that the donation is tax-deductible.
• Be wary of pushiness. Any person or group that urges you to donate immediately should be viewed with suspicion. Legitimate organizations will still be around tomorrow, after you’ve had time to consider your finances and determine how much money you can afford to donate.
• Don’t use cash. For a number of reasons, cash donations tend to be the riskiest in the case of charity groups. Instead, write a check to the charitable organization (not to the person collecting donations).

Remember: nobody should use guilt or threats to convince you to donate money. If you don’t like the way a solicitor is making you feel, simply cut off communication with that person and (if necessary) file a complaint with the FTC. You can then donate as much or as little money as you choose to the charity of your choice.

Posted in FTC, Financial Literacy, Identity Theft, avoid scams, charity | Comments Off

Top Consumer Complaints of 2010

The Federal Trade Commission has released a report on the consumer complaints it received from Americans in 2010, and the list illuminates many of the financial and privacy concerns important to the American people.

Here’s a look at the top ten issues that sparked the most consumer outrage, as well as some tips for dealing with a problem new this year.

• Identity theft: For the 11th year in a row, identity theft earned the top spot for number of consumer complaints, with 19 percent of all complaints filed (a whopping 250,854).
• Debt collection: If you’ve ever dealt with abusive debt collectors, it may not surprise you to learn that issues with this group caused the second greatest number of complaints among consumers (144,159, or 11 percent of all complaints).
• Internet services: Whether for fraudulent offers or subpar service, Internet providers landed third for most consumer complaints, five percent of all complaints (65,565).
• Prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries: In fourth place came this type of scam, which often offers phony rewards after the victim pays a bogus entry fee. A total of 64,085 complaints were filed about this type of issue, or about five percent of all complaints.
• Shop-at-home and catalog sales: Whether for defective goods, unwieldy return policies or some other act of non-consumer-friendliness, this type of transaction accounted for about four percent of consumer complaints last year (60,205).
• Imposter scams: A new category this year, this type of scam jumped to sixth place, prompting the FTC to issue warnings about how to spot imposter scams to avoid sending money to strangers (details below).
• Internet auctions: Perhaps because of the Internet’s vast scope and inability to fit neatly into regulatory areas, online auctions prompted 56,107 people to file complaints with the FTC.
• Foreign money/counterfeit check scams: Getting blasted when you intended to invest or travel can be especially traumatizing, so it’s no wonder 43,866complaints concerning this category were filed last year.
• Telephone and mobile services: Varying definitions of service options and quality of service provided prompted 37,388 people to file complaints about their communication tools.
• Credit cards: This old classic is still causing us plenty of trouble. Despite the new protections instituted by the Credit CARD Act, 33,258 complaints were still filed about credit cards.

Avoiding Imposter Scams

The FTC’s consumer complaints about imposter scams (that is, scams in which someone pretends to be a government agency or loved one in order to convince a victim to part with money or sensitive information) prompted the release of a report on how to spot and avoid such scams.

In general, avoid wiring money to anyone you don’t know, be wary if someone pushes you to act quickly to make a transaction, don’t transmit sensitive information by text message and always confirm a person’s identity before making a major financial move.

Posted in Consumer Protection, FTC, Financial Literacy, Identity Theft, consumer rights | Comments Off

It’s Getting More Expensive to Have Your Identity Stolen

A new report from Javelin Strategy & Research uncovers some potentially troubling numbers about the changing face of identity theft. Here’s a look at the report’s findings and some reminders about what you can do to protect yourself, your identity, and your credit.

• In total, fewer people were victimized by identity theft in 2010: The number of identity theft cases dropped by a reported 28 percent from 2009 to last year - reports in 2010 dipped to the 2007 level. Additionally, it seems the average dollar amount of fraud committed by identity thieves dropped slightly (from $4,991 in 2009 to $4,607 last year). The group speculates that a decrease in corporate data breaches can be credited with the per-case drop-off.
• More expensive fraud for individuals: While the total number of identity theft cases decreased last year, the cost of such incidents for victims rose. In fact, Javelin reports that the jump was large – 63 percent – up to $631 from $387 in 2009. This suggests that the types of identity theft being favored now are those that cost victims more (in the form of covering fraudulent debts, paying legal fees, etc.).
• New account fraud most popular: The report shows that new account fraud, one of the most difficult types of identity theft to detect, accounted for a whopping $17 billion last year, the largest amount in any category. New account fraud occurs when the thief opens a new bank or credit account with the victim’s identifying information; the other type of fraud, existing account fraud, dropped in popularity last year, to $13 billion dollars’ worth, from $23 billion a year before.
• There’s a better chance you know the thief: It seems that in 2010, there was a seven percent increase in fraud perpetrated by thieves who knew their victims (including family members, friends and roommates). The report notes that those ages 25 to 34 are most likely to be victimized by this type of fraud.
• Sign of the times: The Javelin report suggests that, because identity theft crimes have changed in direct opposition to changing retail sales, the increase in identity theft could well be an indicator of economic hardship.

How Bad Can Identity Theft Be?

If you aren’t convinced by these numbers that identity theft can be a pain in the neck (and in the wallet), take a look at this story from ABC News, which details the saga of a man who battled for 17 years against an identity thief living across the country.

The victim found himself responsible for debts he never took on and even ended up in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. If that’s not reason enough to take steps to protect your sensitive information, consider this: despite federal protections, some bankruptcy filers still cite identity theft as one of the factors that pushes them to the bankruptcy court in the first place.

Posted in Bankruptcy, Identity Theft, research | Comments Off

Nothing Says ‘I Love You’ Like Avoiding Identity Theft

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, many Americans are likely thinking about ways to treat their loved ones, or considering their options for meeting a romantic partner. And in the age of online dating and connections, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a guide for keeping your personal information (and money) safe from identity thieves while you enjoy all Cupid has to offer.

Here’s a look at some of the FTC’s Valentine-specific warnings.

Know the Warning Signs for Valentine’s Day Scams

• Online dating & social networking: Online venues for meeting and interacting with people have ballooned in popularity in the last several years, but that doesn’t mean they’re always safe. The FTC suggests proceeding with caution when engaging in any sort of online relationship, especially if you notice any of these identity theft warning signs. The important thing to keep in mind is not to let your guard down even if you’re feeling particularly sentimental around the holiday.
• Flower delivery scams: Another warning the FTC has issued concerns flower delivery services – obviously a classic choice for February 14th. According to the FTC, some flower delivery scams involve telemarketers offering their services over the phone for more money than a local florist’s shop would charge. Naturally, that’s not a good deal for anyone. If you’re thinking of sending blossoms to a loved one this year, make sure you know you’re working with a legitimate company and paying a fair price.
• Financial habit compatibility: While financial matters may not seem like the most romantic topic to broach during a Valentine’s dinner, they are important to any serious relationship. Luckily, the FTC offers a fiscal compatibility quiz for partners interested in seeing how their spending, saving and budgeting habits match up. (Hint: offering to do this quiz together for a Valentine’s Day date might not go over well if it’s the most romantic thing you’ve got planned.)
• Magazine subscription and renewal scams: Thinking of giving a gift that your valentine can enjoy all year long? Be careful if you choose a magazine subscription, because some scammers have begun sending phony renewal notices to subscribers in hopes of tricking these people into sending checks they think are to maintain their subscriptions. Instead, visit the web site of the magazine you want to share with your loved one and make sure that web site is a secure place to enter any financial information.

The Relationship between Love & Money

Americans tend to think of love and money as unrelated subjects, but any serious relationship demands a consideration of financial matters from both partners. After all, the stress of debt problems can wreak havoc on a relationship, so show your partner you care by putting financial matters on the table this Valentine’s Day!

Posted in Consumer Protection, Financial Literacy, Identity Theft, scams | Comments Off

What You Can Learn from 2010’s Top Scams

While many people are looking forward to the new year, it’s also important to take time to look back on what we learned from 2010. So here’s a review of some of the major scams that we saw in the past year (listed on WalletPop.com) and what you can do to protect your finances from similar ones.

Protect Your Finances from Future Scams

• Mortgage Relief Scams: Scammers know that people who are feeling desperate make good targets, so times of economic distress provide scam artists with plenty of opportunities for ripping people off. Scams offering fake mortgage relief take advantage of people in danger of losing their homes by offering fake services to negotiate with lenders or change mortgage terms, and real opportunities for struggling homeowners to throw away money they can’t afford to lose. Lesson: You are the only one responsible for saving your home and/or mortgage. If you want help, you must ask for it and do some work to find the right group to provide it.
• Debt Relief & Reduction Scams: Like mortgage relief scams, debt relief scams work by charging consumers steep upfront fees for debt-reduction services that the scammer never delivers. Though new rules have strengthened consumer protections against debt settlement companies (which are sometimes little more than dolled-up scammers), many groups are apparently still finding ways to get around these rules. Lesson: Do your homework before committing to any debt relief firm. Visit the Better Business Bureau, compare fees among companies, and consider your alternatives (like credit counseling and bankruptcy). Most importantly, if something sounds too good to be true, don’t believe it.
• Robocall Scams: These scams work by contacting vast numbers of consumers with recorded telephone messages and promising some attractive service (like quick debt reduction) – naturally, for a steep price. Lesson: Getting out of debt is almost never a quick process. If someone promises a quick fix for your debt, turn the other way and run (and don’t write any checks in the meantime).
• Identity Theft Scams: Identity theft is perhaps one of the most troubling crimes of the information age – correcting the damage done by identity thieves can take hours of time and lead to anger and frustration. And identity thieves are masters at taking advantage of new technologies to get our information – emails, text messages, online buying sites and other popular media have all been used by identity thieves to lure in unsuspecting consumers. Lesson: Guard your personal information carefully. Don’t ever wire money to strangers, reply to unfamiliar emails, text sensitive information or otherwise reveal too much of your personal data.

Keep Your Money Safe in 2011

The sad truth about scams is this: there will always be a new scam out there – the nature of legislation is that it is slow and retroactive, meaning that unscrupulous individuals will always be able to outpace laws. But if you approach your everyday transactions and interactions with reasonable skepticism, you should be able to keep yourself and your money safe.

Posted in Financial Literacy, Foreclosure, Identity Theft, predatory lending, scams | Comments Off

A Stealthy New Threat to Your Credit Card Information?

A recent report from a Memphis news station warns of the latest risk to the safety of your credit card information: a super-stealthy computerized scanner that a tech-savvy thief could use to get your credit card digits while passing you on the street.

RFID Technology in Your Wallet

Here’s how the technology works, according to the story, and why it might pose a problem for ordinary consumers.

• RFID technology: Something called radio-frequency identification is commonly used in passports, credit cards and debit cards to facilitate transactions. Merchants can process information from RFID-enabled cards with a simple scan.
• Portable computing devices: Unfortunately, the technology that allows for quick transactions in the mall and at the airport also, it seems, opens the door to stealthy identity crimes. The news story mentioned above cautions that a person equipped with easy-to-purchase equipment could discretely scan people’s wallets for card information on the street.
• Potential identity theft: Clearly, having your identity stolen is not a pleasant experience – but being victimized by identity theft while you’re walking the streets and have your guard down can be both frightening and financially devastating.

Should You Be Worried about Mobile ID Theft?

The jury seems to be out on whether or not the potential for RFID-fueled identity crimes will actually translate into a rash of such crimes. An estimated 140 million Americans have some sort of card with RFID capabilities, though, generally speaking, you can guard against identity theft by taking certain precautions:

• Check your bank account regularly: Log on to your online account often and review your monthly statements carefully to make sure that no unusual activity is taking place. The more regularly you check your account balance, the more likely you’ll be to catch a withdrawal from an unauthorized source.
• Shred any sensitive documents: Though we’re well into the digital age, plenty of identity thieves still get their information by rummaging through the trash or recycling bins. Whenever you get documents with sensitive information on them (including your Social Security Number, your bank account numbers and your credit card number), shred them before disposing of them.
• Take only what you need: When you leave the house (especially for longer trips) limit yourself to only the credit cards you’ll absolutely need while you’re away. Limiting your chances of losing one or having one stolen is a smart way to play your odds.
• Change your passwords: If your passwords are easy to guess, change them. Even if they’re not easy to guess, still change them regularly.

The news story mentioned above highlighted the potential for this type of crime to lead to identity theft, but it also mentioned that no actual cases of such crimes have yet been reported – though that could be because the RFID scan theft is such a difficult technique to trace.

Posted in Consumer Protection, Credit Cards, Financial Literacy, Identity Theft | Comments Off

Scam Watch: Avoid Dating & Social Networking Money Scams

The Federal Trade Commission recently published a warning about scams that have been reported on dating and social networking web sites. Here’s what you need to know to identify and avoid these potential money-suckers (and identity thieves).

It’s Probably Not True Love

According to the FTC's OnGuard Online site, a typical online networking or dating scam works something like this:

• The scammer creates a fake profile.
• The scammer develops a relationship with someone he’s never met face to face and convinces that person that they’re in love.
• The scammer asks his “love” to wire money for one reason or another – usually to a location outside the United States.

So how can you distinguish between someone who is honestly interested in friendship or a relationship and someone who only wants to drain your bank account or steal your identity? The FTC provides a list of warning signs that your digital romance might be less than ideal.

• The scammer expresses a desire to move away from the dating or social networking site and use instead a personal email or instant messaging account. This suggests that the person wants to fly under the radar of whatever body governs the site, or wants to use a less-secure (and perhaps less traceable) method of communication.
• The scammer begins to claim feelings of love early on in the relationship. This should raise a red flag, particularly if you’ve never met the person face to face – claiming to be in love sets the stage a little too neatly for asking for favors from that loved one.
• The scammer indicates that she is from the U.S. but is currently living overseas. This provides a handy explanation for why she would want a victim to send funds outside of the country (presumably to an account regulated by less stringent laws than those in the U.S.).
• The scammer insists that he wants to visit the victim, but is unable to do so because of some unfortunate life event (such as the death of a loved one, job loss, or similar).
• The scammer offers seemingly “valid” reasons why she needs money, such as a relative’s sickness, a minor financial setback, or similar – and, after the victim sends money, the scammer continues to ask for more.

Watch Out for Requests from Friends and Family

Of course, not every scam involves establishing a new relationship. Another popular scam involves requests from close friends or family members for money to be wired overseas - usually the story involves an international vacation gone bad, and the friend needs money wired to pay for an emergency. In reality, the friend's account has been compromised by a scammer.

The Dangers of Identity Theft

So why are scams such as these so treacherous? The obvious answer is that a scammer could take in an unsuspecting victim and drain his or her bank account. But the risk of identity theft might put a victim at even greater risk.

Identity theft can cause long-term damage to your finances and credit, which can make it difficult to get loans, apartment rentals, credit cards and more. In general, be wary any time a person you’ve never met asks for money – particularly if you’re being asked to send it outside the U.S.

Posted in FTC, Identity Theft, scams | Comments Off

Take Advantage of Free ID Theft Protection & Education Materials

The Federal Trade Commission has announced that, in honor of National Protect Your Identity Week, it will provide consumers with a wealth of free information and materials about how to fight, avoid and protect themselves against identity theft.

Where to Learn about Identity Theft Prevention

Though federal laws exist to protect the finances of people who are victimized by identity theft, it’s still fairly common for bankruptcy filers to indicate that identity theft contributed to the financial distress that led them to file for bankruptcy. Here’s a look at what the FTC has to offer:

• Basic information: This “one-stop national resource” provides consumers with information about what identity theft is, how to recognize it, how to prevent it and what to do if they’ve been victimized by identity theft. Additionally, the site has information for businesses and law enforcement groups to help prevent and fight identity theft cases from happening.
• Informative videos: The FTC has posted some educational videos for consumers interested in learning how to reduce their online risk of identity theft and how to protect their digital lives from exposure to identity threats.
• Online application of skills: At their game portal, the FTC offers consumers a chance to test their knowledge about the risk factors of identity thefts, basic precautions to take to avoid being victimized by identity thieves and apply identity theft prevention skills by playing online games. This site might prove especially helpful for younger computer users who might be resistant to more traditional information sources.
• Reminder of your rights: Finally, the FTC has posted a reminder about every American consumer’s right to obtain and view copies of her credit report and why staying abreast of what appears in your credit is important to financial health.

Legal Help for Identity Theft Woes

To top off its bevy of useful information about fighting and preventing identity theft, the FTC has also announced that it will offer legal guidelines for identity theft victims. This web page is designed to help victims and their advocates (whether lawyers, credit counselors or other activists) determine how to proceed to maximize the benefit of fighting identity thieves.

As many people who have unfortunately felt the sting of identity theft already know, the crime can lead to hours of headaches as consumers try to sort out their financial situation and reclaim their private information. Generally, there are a few practices can help you avoid identity theft:

• Shred all sensitive documents before disposing of them;
• Don’t click on unfamiliar links online and definitely don’t enter your personal information unless you’re sure what web site you’re on;
• Don’t share your passwords with anyone;
• Check your free credit report every year for suspicious activity; and
• Make sure your email has a good spam filter. Be wary of emails from unknown sources.

Posted in FTC, Financial Literacy, Identity Theft | Comments Off