It’s a feeling that sends chills down your spine. You feel alone, confused, and angry. Unfortunately it is a feeling experienced by many people each year – it’s the feeling caused by identity theft. Claiming millions of victims each year, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft affected nearly 10 million Americans last year.

As part of a nationwide grassroots consumer education outreach our organization, Money Management International, has partnered with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and other NFCC member agencies to offer financial education in recognition of Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW), October 17 -24, 2009. Protect Your Identity Week is designed to help people gain access to free information on prevention and learn what steps to take if they find themselves a victim of identity theft.

To kick the week off, consider the following tips to safeguard your personal information:

-Don’t leave your wallet or statements lying around—even at home.
-Don’t carry Social Security cards or anything with your Social Security number on it.
-Keep track of your credit card receipts and carbons.
-Never tell anyone your card number over the phone, unless you initiate the phone call.
-Never allow your credit card number to be used as identification.
-Collect your mail regularly and destroy unwanted credit solicitations.
-Monitor your credit statements.
-Visit AnnualCreditReport.com and review your credit report at least once a year. Report errors and inaccuracies immediately.

If you become a victim, acting quickly is the key to minimizing damage. Take these steps if you feel your identity has been stolen:

-File a police report.
-Immediately notify issuers of credit.
-Contact the fraud department of each of the credit reporting agencies to place a temporary 90-day Fraud Alert on your file.
-Monitor your credit file.
-Contact your local state Attorney General’s office and the Federal Trade Commission (877-IDTHEFT).
To learn more about protecting your identity or to find a theft prevention event near you, please visit ProtectYourIDNow.org.

At some point we’ve all fantasized about what it would be like to trade places with someone else. Well guess what, there’s someone out there who isn’t just fantasizing. They are taking great strides to obtain your identity.

The economic crisis has lead to an increase in many types of fraud including occupational fraud, Internet fraud, used car fraud, and mortgage fraud. The word fraud means an action or lack of action that is punishable by law. This includes outright deception, and sometimes almost “accidental” misrepresentation that causes damages. Fraud can also include the failure to reveal facts. The bottom line is that falling prey to fraud costs a lot of time and money. In 2007, the average loss was $3,091 per telemarketing victim.

While it may be obvious that you should to steer clear of get-rich-quick schemes and phony contests, some types of fraud are not so easily detected. Unfortunately, thieves adapt as consumers become educated; fraud has seeped its way into more trustworthy covers including “charities,” credit repair, loans, travel, online auctions and work-from-home offers. Following are some ways to foil fraud:

-Be informed. You can educate yourself about current known scams by visiting IDTheftCenter.com.

-Practice due diligence. Before making any purchase, find out if any complaints have been registered with the Attorney General’s office. While a clean complaint record is not a guarantee, it is a step in the right direction.

-Be wary of high pressure appeals. For example, be skeptical if someone thanks you for a pledge you don’t remember making. Legitimate companies should not intimidate you into making an on-the-spot donation or purchase.

-Be skeptical. If someone promises you an easy way to make fast cash, be wary. As the old saying goes, “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.”

-Remember your budget. Even if a solicitation proves to be legitimate, ask yourself if it is really something you want. Remember, before they called you probably didn’t know you “needed” what they’re selling.

-Head them off at the pass. Ask telemarketers to put you on their “do not call” list. Under federal law, they are required to comply. If they continue to call you can sue them in small claims court. For information on how to stop unsolicited email spam, review your state’s laws at SpamLaws.com.

If you suspect a scam, call the National Fraud Information Center at 800-876-7060.

My 85-year-old grandmother makes and sells quilts. Apparently, there is someone in this world sick enough to see this as an opportunity to bilk her out of some money. Following are “Dr. Smith’s” emails as grandma received them (minus any of her identifying information).
_______________________________________________________________________
Jan 7, 2009 06:43 PM
I come across your advert and am very pleased with your final asking price and i am interested in purchasing it,I want to know if its still available for sales, and i will like
to see any current picture of it if its available… I would like to make an outright purchase immediately so I will advice that you withdraw the advert from the web. I don’t mind adding
$50 for you to do that..kindly get back to me with your payment information stated like this as i intend paying via cashier check.
_______________________________________________________________________
Jan 10, 2009 10:50:14 AM
How are you today?i have just email to let you know that you will be receiving the payment soon…And more so my shipping fund will be included with the payment coming to you..so as soon as you receive it take it to your bank and exchange it for cash deduct the total asking price for the Purple Quilt and get the rest sent via western union money transfer to my shipping company information that will be given to you as soon as you confirm the payment,so i will like you to await the payment strongly and get me updated as soon as you receive it. Hope to have a successful business transaction with you in good faith.
Best Regard
Dr Smith.
_______________________________________________________________________
Jan 20, 2009 07:26:11 PM
This is to get you updated that payment has been sent out to you via UPS.COM ,i urge you to get it cashed right away at your bank and deduct your last asking price after which you contact my shipping company via e-mail get the remaining funds sent to them via western union money transfer which is the safest way of sending money world-wide..The excess funds on the payment will enable the shipping company make proper arrangement towards the homepickup at your place such as tax fee,flight fee and there actual shippment fee as well
Shippers details.
X ALLEN AVENUE
IKEJA
LAGOS NIGERIA 23401
NOTE:When sending the money,make sure you compulsory the question and answer as a security code,after which you have sent the money,kindly get back to me with the co-ordinates such as :
SENDERS NAME AND ADDRESS
AMOUNT SENT AFTER WESTERN UNION CHARGES
WESTERN UNION CONTROL NUMBER(MTCN)
Make sure you send a copy of the western union slip to my shipper via e-mail
I hope you will complete this transaction with me in good faith.
_______________________________________________________________________

The price of the quilt was $325, but when the check arrived, it was made out for $3,250. The scammer hoped she would wire the substantial difference before the phony check bounced. (Click here for a detailed run down how the scam works.) Thankfully, my Internet-savvy grandma smelled something fishy and ripped up the check instead.

Sadly, fraud against senior citizens is substantial. According to the FBI, senior citizens are an easy target for some unscrupulous marketers because they are often home and have access to a lifetime of savings. And as Internet use among seniors increases, so does their chances to fall victim fraud.

If you are close to an elderly computer user, I encourage you to make your Internet-savvy self available to answer any questions they might have about online use and security. If you or someone you love is approached by a scammer, the FBI suggests that you share the information with your local FBI office. You can also register a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel.

You know what I think the worst part of this is? Grandma thought someone wanted to buy her beautiful quilt.