IDENTITY THEFT

_____ (2005) Grand theft identity NEWSWEEK,
7/4/ 36-46.

The other evening, I got a call from a telemarketer. Would I like to renew my subscription? Telemarketing is illegal except for charities. I looked at my caller ID and there it was a phony caller ID. I hung up.

All those credit cards that make life easier and harder for us are now a venue for others to steal. What can you do about it?

WHO HAS YOUR SPECIAL NUMBERS? The bank, school, doctor, employer. / Local DMV office/Federal agencies/phone companies/ credit reference bureaus/data brokerage firms/payment processing agencies.

HOW IS IT STOLEN? Hacking and scamming.

HOW IS IT USED? Others buy lots of things and get money credit from your account.

WHAT CAN I DO? Watch your bills. Call as fast as possible if you see fraud. Much of your money is covered, but not all. So fight back with your credit card company.