Of Interest

Identity Theft...Who's Next?

WASHINGTON (3/13/02) -- About one in 50 people is a victim of identity theft, according to a survey by Gartner Inc. Identity theft claims nearly half a million victims every year and costs financial institutions more than $5 billion, according to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. The FBI calls identity theft one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the U.S. Proof that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes: It was the most complained about consumer fraud reported last year. Of the 204,000 complaints received at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2001, 42% involved identity theft.
How can credit unions help members avoid becoming a victim? The FTC offers a 34-page brochure on its Website that educates members on identity theft--how to avoid it and where to get help if you become a victim. The brochure is called "ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name."

Click here to get the .pdf version (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Click here to go to the Website.

With nearly 10 million victims of identity theft in 2002 alone - 41% more than the year before - it's America's fastest-growing crime. If you have a credit card or a social security number, you are a target. If you get hit, you could spend the rest of your life cleaning up the mess. As the black market for personal data grows, criminals are discovering new ways of stealing your identity. As your risk increases, so does your need for a solution.

Liberty Identity Theft Services offers consumers real protection from identity theft! They offer a comprehensive crisis resolution if you were to ever fall victim to identity theft. These services include:

A personal advocate who works with you one-on-one. This is an invaluable resource during a time of personal vulnerability and loss.
Systematic notification of agencies, businesses and institutions. They make certain that everyone who needs to know about your identity theft is contacted and has the information they need.
Comprehensive case file creation and management for insurance and law enforcement. Count on Liberty to manage the critical details of this essential service.
A full year of fraud alert, follow-up calls and status checks. Persistence pay off, that's what Liberty delivers.
Account takeover and true identity theft are both covered. Anything less is a job half done. Liberty's comprehensive service provides the best crisis resolution available.
Ongoing consumer education from Identity Theft 911^TM. Liberty delivers the information you need to fight identity theft, from in-depth articles to bulletins and fraud alerts.
Credit reports and alerts from TrueLink and TransUnion^SM. A 3-in-1 credit report and a full year of monitoring services provide an early warning system against identity fraud.
Identity theft insurance from AIG. Expanded coverage for the time and expense of recovering your identity - with higher limits (up to $25,000 in covered expenses), no deductible, no family exclusions and up to four weeks lost wages at up to $500 per week.

You may purchase this coverage for $49.95 a year. To get your coverage today, click on the banner above!