SIPOA - Snell Isle Property Owners Association

President's Letter

President's Letter

President’s July 2005 Letter
Dear Association Members,

Identity Theft is the fastest growing non-violent crime in the USA. At our May meeting, St. Petersburg Detectives helped us to understand what was involved and how we can protect ourselves from becoming victims. Here is a short summary for those who missed the meeting.

Monitor and periodically review your credit report for unauthorized usages.
On June 1, 2005, Florida entered the Fair Credit reporting system that allows consumers to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Consumer Reports suggests staggering your free credit reports so that you would see one credit report every four months. For example, today get one from Experian, in October get one from Equifax in February get one from TransUnion. In June 2006, get another one from Experian (1 year after the last time). This is a FREE way to look for unauthorized usages of your credit - or identity theft. These inquiries do NOT count against you when getting new credit. You may access this free report online at www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Do not give out your Social Security number.
If you need to verify it, use only the last four digits of your SS number (xxx-xx-1234).

Shred all documents containing personal information.
These should include bank statements, credit card and loan solicitations, really anything with personal information on it. Cross cut shredders are the most secure but they do cost a bit more.

Lock up credit cards you do not currently use.
Better yet, cancel those accounts in writing and shred those cards.

Keep an updated list of all credit cards with emergency phone numbers.
If lost of stolen, you have all the necessary information handy to immediately report the loss.

Do NOT provide any information over the phone.
Your bank does NOT call you. This is probably a scam and the caller may be out to fleece you. If asked, hang up and call your local branch bank back directly and ask to speak to the bank manager to verify. Look up the phone number in the phone book. Do NOT use the phone number given to you by the caller.

When purchasing online, do NOT provide credit information unless using a secured site.
There will be a padlock on the tool bar in the lower right hand corner than indicates the site is secure. Only when you see that should you proceed with providing your credit card info. Helpful tip: Designate one credit card for online purchases only. You can monitor the charges much better if it is ONLY used for online purchases.

Do NOT answer e-mail requests from any companies asking to verify or provide credit card information online. This is another scam called phishing. While the site may look similar to a legitimate site, it is not. Your bank, company, credit card will notify you via your monthly statement or by registered mail if they need to update your information. Do not be fooled.

Report identity theft immediately.
File a police report. Alert each credit reporting company that you are a victim and want your files flagged. Notify your bank, credit card companies, etc. Please remember to also notify the FTC who is keeping track of this in the USA.

See you round the isle,

Barbara McCormick Heck
SIPOA 2005 President