April 15, 2008 Program

As an old credit card television ad said “What’s in your wallet?” and then a band of Vikings, armed to the teeth, proceeded to pillage and plunder a person’s finances has a certain ‘ring’ to the message delivered this morning by our guest speaker. “Identity Theft…the fastest growing crime in the United States today.”

Mr. Douglas Cobb, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation forensic accountant and fraud examiner gave the Club a ‘blow by blow’ description of how ‘identity thieves steal your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes.  And in the process, cost you thousands of dollars and hours of your time repairing your credit rating and good name.

COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS:

Skilled identity thieves use many ways to steal your personal information.  Here are some of them:

1. DUMPSTER DIVING
   They rummage through your garbage and trash for bills, credit card applications with your name and address on them, and other papers with your personal information.
2. SKIMMING:
   They steal credit/debit card numbers by using special electronic ‘storage devices’ while you are using these cards.
3. PHISHING:
   They pretend to be ‘financial institutions’ or other ‘companies’ and send ‘spam mail’ or ‘pop up messages’ to your computer so you will reveal personal information. [e.g. your bank asking to update your personal information.  Reputable institutions do not use the internet for this purpose.]
4. CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS:
   They divert billing statements that are supposed to come to your home to another location by completing ‘change of address forms’.
5. ‘OLD FASHION STEALING’
   They steal wallets, purses, mail –including bank and credit card statements, preapproved credit offers, boxes of new checks, or tax information.  They can also steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access to your information.

DETER IDENTITY THIEVIES: SAFEGUARD YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:

• Shred financial documents and other paperwork with your personal information before you discard them
• Protect your social security number.  Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or purse.  Don’t write your social security number on a check.  Ask to use alternate form of identification. Don’t give out your SSN only if absolutely necessary.
• Don’t give out any personal information on the telephone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you know who you are talking to.
• Never click on internet links sent to you in unsolicited emails.  Use web addresses you know and trust.  Use firewalls, antispyware, and antivirus software to protect your home computer.  Keep them up-to-date. [Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information]
• Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your SSN.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home or in a safe deposit box. If you are having work done on your house, employ outside help, or have roommates, keep your personal information secure.

DETECT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

• Routinely monitor all your financial accounts and billing statements.  Be alert to ‘signs’ that require immediate attention such as: Bills that don’t arrive as expected; Unexpected credit cards or account statements; Credit denials for no apparent reason; or calls or letters concerning purchases you did not make.  You should review financial accounts and billing statements regularly for charges you did not make.
• Inspect your credit report.
  Credit reports contain personal information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history.
  The law requires the major national consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and transunion – to give you a free copy of your credit report each year, if you ask for it.
• WWW.AnnualCreditReport.com:
  Visit the above site or call 1-877-322-8228.  It was created by the above three companies so you can order your free credit reports each year.  You can also write:
  Annual Credit Report Request Service at P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Ga. 30348-5281.

DEFEND AGAINST SUSPECTED ID THEFT:

If you suspect ID theft, place a “fraud alert” on your credit reports and review them carefully.  This will ‘trigger’ all creditors and alert them to follow certain procedures before they open any new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts.  

The three national consumer reporting companies have toll-free telephone numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert.  A call to one company is sufficient:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reported.  Look for inquiries from companies you have not contacted, accounts you have not opened, and debts on your accounts you cannot explain.

CLOSE ACCOUNTS:

Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.  Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay.  Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.  Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.  Ask for verification the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged. Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.

FILE A POLICE REPORT:

File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.

REPORT THE THEFT TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION:

Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country with their investigations:

Online:  www.ftc.gov.idtheft
By Telephone:  1-877-438-4338
By Mail:  Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580

Kiwanis 1 Day: April 19th

Club members will gather 10AM at the Wrens Nest, in South Atlanta, for a cleanup day in conjunction with Kiwanis1Day.  600 Kiwanis Clubs across the nation participated last year.  Your support is needed to make this project successful.  Coffee and Donuts provided.  Bring your work gloves, dress accordingly, and bring your rakes and plastic bags.  Come do a good deed and have some fun.

Peachtree-Atlanta Bowling

June 14th, the Club will field two bowling teams, partially underwritten by the Club’s foundation.  The two teams, 5 members each, will bowl to raise money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Atlanta.

Kiwanis International Convention

This year’s convention is scheduled to be held in Orlando, Florida, June 26-29th.  Contact President Sherry Neal for more information.

Nominations Committee

The Committee has ‘tapped’ Bob Bodimer for President next year, Tim Kercheval for Treasurer, and Stan Bokoski for Secretary.  Committee is currently looking for a president-elect for the 2009-2010 year.  Billy King will Board Director for one year and Board of Directors will consist of: Ronni French, Kevin Isakson, Saeed Raees, and Yvonne Conway.

Interclubs

Kevin Isakson said there will be an Interclub April 28th, 12 noon, with the Buckhead Club at the Park on Peachtree restaurant near Lenox mall.  [Kevin, a wee bit tired looking, and his wife Katherine recently added a new addition to their family…a bouncing baby boy.]

Rising Leaders

Rising Leaders luncheon coming up May 6th at the ‘Trolley Barn’ in Inman Park.  More information to follow.  No meeting scheduled.  Lockheed tour has been canceled.

Genesis Project: Young Children Priority 1 Project

The Club will be having a ‘workday’ for this homeless agency.  More information  coming.  Agency currently needed all kinds of baby supplies.[diapers, toiletries,  powder, bed linen, etc.]

Ms. Georgia Nursing Home Project

Event scheduled for Saturday April 26th at 1pm, Stone Mountain Park, Evergreen Center.

Ushers needed.  Contact Jerry Hitt for more information.

Fulton Co. District Attorney Witness Program

Ronni French and Yvonne Conway say ‘basic women’s clothing’ is needed for these ladies to appear in court.    Please contact Ronni or Yvonne if you can.

Club Flag Patches:

Club received patches for community service and interclubs for a job well done this year, says President Sherry Neal.

New Member

Mr. Benjamin F. Forehand, Jr. or “Ben” to his friends has completed his new member paperwork to join the Peachtree-Atlanta Kiwanis Club.  He works for Georgia Power, has an engineering background, and is sponsored by club member Billy King. He is a former member of the West Mobile Kiwanis Club.

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