What One Top Ten Identity Theft State is Doing About It

Consumers are not the only ones concernedcustomer record disposal. The insurance forms
about and taking steps to protect against identityare of particular concern in light of the growing
theft. Many states are taking important steps totrend of medical identity theft, in which an
protect their residents. A few of these stepsindividuals' insurance information is used to obtain
include stiffer penalties, imposing sanctions andmedical services or to commit insurance fraud.
fines on careless companies and providing theirUnder the settlement agreement, the state of
residents with many tools necessary to correctTexas will receive nearly $1.5 million in fines,
the errors that identity theft has caused. Manyincluding attorney's fees. As outlined in the Identity
identity theft savvy consumers are: installingTheft and Protection Act, the remainder will be
anti-spy ware, using shredders, reducing the useused for the investigation and prosecution of
of their social security number, using services tofuture cases of identity theft. Stiff penalties are
stop junk mail and risky credit card applications.just one of the steps taken to protect and
But what about the actions of others? After allprevent identity theft. The Texas Attorney
the care you take to protect yourself, whatGeneral's Office has created a checklist for
happens when others, such as companies orvictims of identity theft to take steps and track
service providers do not? Businesses that havetheir progress during recovery. The identity theft
access to your information aren't always lookingcheck list includes information and forms on:
for you. It is far too easy to simply throwclosing all fraudulent accounts made in your name,
important personal information away, than to takecontacting the 3 major credit reporting agencies
the sometimes expensive steps needed to haveand requesting a fraud alert or security freeze for
it professionally disposed of. But many states arenew accounts, reporting identity theft crimes for
looking out for your best interest, especially whenlocal law enforcement and obtaining a copy of the
it comes to identity theft. Texas has a growingpolice report, and reporting identity theft crimes
reputation for being proactive in preventingto Federal Trade Commission and completing and
identity theft and tough on punishing businessesID Theft Affidavit. Victims are also advised to file
who don't protect the consumer. Texas lawa consumer complaint with the Office of the
requires vendors to take specific precautionsAttorney General in the event that they are
before disposing of personal documents that mayharassed by credit collectors as a result of
include customers' bank accounts, driver's licenseidentity theft. Additionally The Texas Attorney
and Social Security numbers. In the state ofGeneral's Office also offers an Identity Theft
Texas, you can bet companies will be thinkingVictim's Kit. According to 2006 state statistics on
twice before dumping your credit application in aidentity theft, Texas ranks fourth in the area of
public trash can. Examples of Poor Businessidentity theft. States are ranked according to
Practices: Public trash cans outside a local Radiovictims per 100,000 people, and it should be noted
Shack were filled with thousands of customer'sthat Texas also has a higher population than
sensitive personal and credit information after themany other states. The top ten states with the
dumping of these documents. Credit applicationsMost Victims of Identity Theft Per Capita are:
containing names, social security numbers, debitArizona, Nevada, California, Texas, Florida,
and credit card numbers as well as addresses andColorado, Georgia, New York, Washington, and
telephone numbers and receipts were located,New Mexico. Just because your state did not
exposing many Radio Shack Consumers tomake the top ten list, doesn't mean you are safe.
identity theft or credit card fraud. AfterNo matter where you live, this crime is a real
investigations by the State of Texas Attorneyproblem. Information, advocacy, laws and
General's office, a settlement was reached. Underprosecutions in any state will ultimately help
the settlement with Radio-Shack, the retailer iseveryone but in the mean time consumers must
required to enhance security procedures andeducate themselves and arm themselves with
implement employee training. Radio Shack alsoprotection against identity theft as well as the
agreed to unannounced compliance audits in allremedies available to them. With the continued
Texas stores bi-annually. Select Medical wasefforts of law enforcement, state and federal
investigated after a report that over 4,000agencies, stiffer fines and penalties as well as
documents were found in the garbage behindrequiring a higher standard of care from
their Select Physical Therapy Location. Thesebusinesses, progress is being made on many
un-shredded records included bank accountlevels in protecting consumers.
numbers, drug testing results, insuranceLisa Carey is a contributing author for Identity
verification sheets as well as sensitive social andTheft Secrets: prevention and protection. You can
vocational therapy questionnaires. Select Medicalget tips on Identity theft protection, software,
will also be required to amend security proceduresand monitoring your credit as well as learn more
and implement training for Texas employeesabout the secrets used by identity thieves at the
about the newly established state laws governingIdentity Theft Secrets blog.