Identity Theft FACTS:

· Oregon is one of the top ten in the nation for ID theft.

· There is a strong correlation between meth use and ID theft.

· The problem is growing rapidly – increase of 26.5% in one year.

· Personal & business insurance rates are on the rise due to theft.

· Businesses incur profit and merchandise loss due to I.D. theft.

Goals of the Identity Theft Campaign:

· To Protect the Consumers.

· To Protect the Businesses’ Bottom Line.

· To Reduce the Growing Problem of I.D. Theft.

Strategies businesses can take:

· Ask customers for photo I.D. when taking checks or credit cards

· Participate in the Check Print Program (Thumbprint)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is I.D. Theft?

• A crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.

What are the most common ways people have their identities stolen?

• Shoulder surfing – thieves will watch from a nearby location and observe the victim entering vital numbers electronically or verbally. Once they obtain enough information, they can steal the victim’s identity for their own use.
• Dumpster Diving – thieves will search through a home or business trash receptacle to obtain copies of checks, credit cards/bank statements, or other personal records enabling them to steal identity for their own use.

What are the laws against Identity Theft?

• The ID theft and Assumption Deterrence Act prohibits knowingly transferring or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of Federal Law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local law. 18 U.S.C. 1028 (a)(7). Maximum sentence is 15 years imprisonment, fine, criminal forfeiture of any personal property used or intended to be used to commit the offense.

As a business owner, how do I explain to a customer why I.D. is required?

• Emphasis that the extra steps taken are for the consumers own protection, that as a business owner you want to prevent unauthorized charges on anyone’s account.

How can an identifying thumbprint be put on a check? Won’t the ink smudge? Won’t my customers’ fingers get dirty?

• Specialty inkpads are made for this purpose. The print is easy to apply and will not leave excess residue on a customers fingers.

Isn’t it a waste of time to collect prints now that checks are processed electronically and the original check is destroyed?

• The actual design of the thumbprint is the necessary proof, so with technological advances, law enforcement and prosecutors are able to investigate and convict with electronic copies of prints.

What if customers are concerned with having their fingerprints on file?

• The precautionary measure of taking thumbprints is designed to deter unauthorized use of identity and enable law enforcement to arrest and convict. Only when a check is under investigation will the thumbprint be analyzed.