Care must be exercised to safeguard identity
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

DAVE BENJAMIN Phyllis A. Sabino, a market conduct examiner with the state Department of Banking and Insurance Office of Public Affairs, discusses the problem of identity theft at the Jackson library.

JACKSON - You are your own defense.

That was the message given by Phyllis A. Sabino, a market conduct examiner with the state Department of Banking and Insurance Office of Public Affairs.

Sabino presented a talk on "Identity Theft, It Could Happen to You," at the Jackson library in January. The last of three sessions dealing with identity theft will be presented at the library, 2 Jackson Drive, at 11 a.m. Feb. 6. Preregistration is required. Call (732) 928-4400.

"Identity theft is a major problem," Sabino said. "It's getting worse every day. You read the articles in the newspaper, hear it on the news and see it everywhere. It's happening."

When a baby is born and gets a Social Security number or until someone has died, they are still targets, Sabino said, explaining that identity theft is the stealing of a person's name and reputation for illicit gains. Victims can lose their financial accounts and the thief can purchase new cars, apply for loans, credit cards and Social Security benefits. The thief can also rent apartments and establish services with utility and telephone companies.

"If you have been victimized or know someone who has, it can take anywhere from one to five years to recover," Sabino said. "It affects you in so many ways. [It hits] your financial records, your daily operations and everything that you are."

She said people must protect their Social Security number.

"Everybody wants it," she said. "Everybody you call or see and everything you sign up for. They want that number."

Sabino said a doctor's office will need it in order to verify who a person is, but she said a lot of people do not need to have it. She said if a person resists providing the number, the person asking for it will back off.

Using a series of video vignettes it was shown how easily people can be fooled into giving personal information to a criminal who calls posing as someone from the bank. The caller, a criminal, claims she is from the bank and says she wants an individual's help in an investigation.

"Would you be willing to help in this investigation?" the caller asks the unsuspecting person receiving the request. "We're checking an employee and we need to monitor your account."

The receiver verifies her name, the correct spelling of her name, the name of the bank and even gives the caller her bank account number.

But Sabino said a bank will never call to verify account information on the phone.

"Never assume you know who is on the other end," she said. "Hang up and call the bank back using a bank phone number you know and not one given to you by the person who called. If someone calls you, don't assume anything."

Sabino also warned against lottery scams and pointed to a news article that described how an Ocean County resident lost $80,000 of his own money just a few months ago and two other people lost $43,000 in two other cases.

"This happens right here in Ocean County," she said.

Then there are people using Internet banking. A voice in the video said, "How gullible can they actually be?"

Sabino said people who use the Internet can be in for a rude awakening.

"When you get an e-mail and you don't know who it's from and you open it, especially if it's an attachment, by opening the little critter [bug] you leave your hard drive open to cyber thieves," Sabino explained. "It's the same technology the cable television company uses when they know what channel you're watching."

She said people must be aware of what they are doing online.

"If you do online banking you must be sure you are on secure sites all the time," she said.

Sabino also warned about ATM card fraud. She said people should never use their ATM card in a dark place. If the card does not work go directly into the bank as soon as possible. Report people who are hanging around the ATM machine or call the police.

She also suggested that people should use a shredder at home to shred receipts with identifying information; pre-approved credit card offers with information on them unless you are using the offer; and bank receipts that are not needed.

Sabino suggested filling out paperwork before going to the bank and not letting anyone stand next to you when filling out paperwork at the bank. Check bank statements and credit card statements in detail every month. Follow-up on any statements that do not arrive on time or when expected.

"Do not carry your Social Security card with you," she said. "Keep it locked up."

If you get a new credit card, make sure it is one you requested. Do not forget to sign the back as soon as the card arrives.

She said to never lend a credit card or Social Security number to anyone.

"Anything they do against your number will come back at you and you don't need that kind of grief," she said.

Sabino said a check printing company should never print a person's Social Security number on a check; a person should not carry more than two credit cards; an individual should keep a photocopy list of both sides of all credit cards and other card numbers so they would know who to call if the cards are lost or stolen.

"When you close out a card you must notify the store that you are closing the account at the customer's request," Sabino said. "You don't want the store to close it. It must be closed at your request."

She said people should obtain a free credit report yearly from each of the three credit bureaus.

"You must get these routinely to make sure they are accurate," she said. "Compare them. They will fix mistakes, but will not change anything that is correct."

"You are your own best defense," Sabino said. "Nobody will look out for you like you do. That's the bottom line. You have to be careful. You have to stay on top of it."

Sabino is available for community group presentations. She can be reached at 1-609-341-2512, ext. 50202.