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| Identity Theft, Information Privacy
and Internet Security |
Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. If someone steals your Social Security number or some other personal information, the thief may try to use the data to open credit cards and other financial accounts under your name. It can ruin your credit and cost you time and money to repair the damage. The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) can help by offering information on how to avoid common mistakes that may leave you vulnerable to identity theft and tips on how to respond when your personal information or financial accounts have been compromised. Resources on navigating the Internet safely are also available from the CPB.
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| Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program Resources |
The New York State Consumer Protection Board’s (CPB) new Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program is in operation effective January 2009, pursuant to a New York State law signed by Governor David A. Paterson in July 2008. The program is designed to provide information and resources to help New Yorkers prevent identity theft and assist victims in addressing the consequences of this crime.
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Privacy Basic Training for Armed Forces and Veterans: Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft - Active military personnel, veterans and their families can be particularly vulnerable to identity theft and fraud due to nonstandard work schedules, lengthy absences from home, frequent relocations and duty assignments to remote locations. To honor the unselfish service of our armed forces, the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) has developed this resource. The CPB
suggests these tips to help prevent our service men and women from falling
victim to identity theft and to assist in mitigating the consequences of
identity theft. |
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A Consumer Guide to Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft - Identity theft is the most common consumer fraud complaint, and the fastest growing financial crime. Learn how to prevent falling victim to this crime and the steps to take if it happens to you |
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Social Security Number and Identity
Theft - This brochure helps consumers understand how to protect their
Social Security number in the marketplace and at work |
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What You Should Know About Child
Identity Theft - Learn about child identity theft and the steps to take if
your child becomes falls victim |
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Back To School Basics: Keep Your Child's Identity Safe - Have bills, credit cards or debt collection calls started coming to your home in your child’s name? Learn how to protect your child from identity theft |
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Personal Identification Documentation (PIDD) Card
- This tool may assist consumers in tracking important personal information
which should be stored in a safe please where it can be easily retrievable.
(Printing Instructions: Print the attached PDF, then fold it in half on the
short fold and then left to right to create the card) |
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Security Freeze Law Brochure
- This brochure explains the New York State Law that provides consumers
with a tool to help avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. A security freeze
may also mitigate further harm |
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Sample Letters to the Three
Major Credit Reporting Agencies for a Credit Freeze - Consumers can request
a security freeze be placed on their credit report by the three major credit
reporting agencies in different ways: by phone, over the Internet through a form
on each of the agencies’ websites, and by mail. To assist consumers, the CPB has
published sample letters that can be used to make your request for a security
freeze |
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Identity
Theft Mitigation at a Glance - This brochure explains the difference
between a fraud alert and a security freeze as tools to prevent and mitigate the
consequences of identity theft |
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The Identity Theft Keycard: Five “Key” Steps for Identity Theft Victims - A wallet-size card with five “key” steps to taken when consumer have fallen victim to identity theft |
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Identity Theft Victim Quick Response Checklist Poster
– A poster for law enforcement professionals and service providers highlighting
quick response actions to identity theft victimization |
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Identity
Theft Victim's Journal - Use this resource to keep detailed records of all
entities contacted to rectify the identity theft and re-claiming his/her good
name |
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Identity Theft Victim’s
Restitution Journal – A victim of identity theft can use this resource to
keep detailed records and receipts of all expenses incurred and time lost in
rectifying the identity theft and re-claiming his/her good name |
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Dealing with Identity Theft in the Context of Domestic Violence
- Victims of domestic violence can be particularly vulnerable to identity theft.
Survivors of domestic violence often need to take extra precautions to protect
themselves from abusers who may use their personal information as a means of
control. This resource provides information to victims of domestic violence to
assist in recovery from identity theft
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Protecting a Deceased Loved One’s Identity - When a loved one passes away, it is natural to delay dealing with notification and other administrative matters. However, delay increases the risk that your loved one could become a victim of identity theft as fraudulent credit card accounts are opened and purchases made in his/her name. While it is unlikely that you or the estate would be held liable for these fraudulent activities, you would be forced to invest substantial time and expense to restore your deceased loved one’s reputation. You can avoid this problem by acting promptly and following the seven (7) steps on this card. |
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New York State Laws Relating To Identity Theft
- This brochure explains several key State laws relating to identity theft |
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"Are You Consumer Savvy" Identity Theft Quiz - A question and answer quiz that helps consumers understand how to prevent and respond to identity theft. Many of these questions are asked on the CPB's Identity Theft Gameshow |
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Tipcard to Prevent Identity Theft - A
Consumer Guide to Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft |
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Consumer Identity Theft News
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Governor Paterson
Announces Agreement With Legislature On Bill To Strengthen New York's Identity Theft Laws -
Bill Will Protect New Yorkers from Fraudulent Use of Personal Information. New
York State Ranks 6th in U.S. for Identity Theft Complaints |
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Identity Theft Awareness
Campaign - The New York State Consumer Protection Board and the New York Giants
launch a public service campaign to raise awareness about Identity Theft for New
York’s consumers
Radio Ad Television Ad |
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Information Privacy for Consumers
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Exercise Your Options to Protect Your Privacy Tool Kit: Unwanted Marketing Messages - Fed up with receiving piles of junk mail every time you open your mailbox? Sick of having to delete all those unsolicited e-mails you’ve been getting from online marketers? By following some basic steps, and exercising your privacy options, you can take hold of your personal privacy. Our checklist in this resource explains how you can exercise your options to reduce unwanted marketing messages. |
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Make Privacy Your Policy - The NYS Consumer Protection Board urges consumers to be careful when providing personal information online while playing games, booking travel, communicating through social networking sites and other Internet-based activities to safeguard their privacy. Read the privacy policies of the sites you visit and frequent only those sites whose policies meet your expectations. As you are reading the privacy policies, ask and answer these ten questions before proceeding with your online activity. |
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Cell Phone
Privacy Tips - Cell phones are a way of life for
many consumers. People the world over use them on a
regular basis, often forgetting the possible threats to
their privacy and the potential for identity theft
associated with mobile devices. The NYS Consumer
Protection Board provides these tips to help consumers
keep their cell phone privacy |
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College-Bound Privacy 101 - The New York
State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) offers some tips that can help keep
your personal information private while attending college, trade school or
graduate school
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Information
Privacy Bulletin Board (K-12) - The New York State
Consumer Protection Board (CPB) reminds parents and
guardians to make safeguarding their child’s personal
identifying information a priority
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NYS Security Breach Law Fact Sheet for Consumers - What consumers should know about the security breach law and notification
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Record Retention - Protecting your personal information by disposing of your documents in the appropriate manner and timeframe
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"Safeguard Your Personal Information" Public Service Campaign -
Check out the new public service announcement, subway
and railroad ad
campaigns raising awareness to safeguard your personal
information
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Security Breach Data Check List - Steps to take and questions to ask when personal information is lost or stolen from a company's computer system
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Think Privacy: Advice for Parents of the E-generation - Parents or caregivers
should be aware of the next generation of electronic tools that can be purchased
and added to their children’s cell phone and online social networking pages |
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Think Privacy: Cloud Computing - Learn about Cloud
Computing and how it affects consumers
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Think Privacy: Passwords - Passwords are the first
line of defense in protecting personal information on
our computers. Here are ten suggestions to help you
create stronger passwords
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Think
Privacy: Spear Phishing - Spear phishing e-mails
will attempt to lure their recipient: by falsely
identifying the sender as a person or organization with
which the recipient is familiar and with which the
recipient may have a relationship, by including some
personal details about the recipient in the body of the
message, and by making requests that, given the
familiarity of the contact, seem to have a legitimate
basis. Learn more about Spear Phishing and you can avoid
falling victim by reading this monthly's privacy advice.
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Think Privacy: 10 Tips for Using Social Networking Sites - Social networking sites are exploding in popularity. Consumers should be aware of the privacy implications of using these sites and be prepared to take action to help protect their privacy. Here are ten simple tips to use when utilizing social networking sites. |
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Information Privacy for Businesses
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Anatomy of a Data Breach: What Your Business Needs to Know video - The CPB launched “Anatomy of a Data Breach: What Your Business Needs to Know,” a new video targeted to help businesses understand and protect against data breaches |
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The New York Consumer Protection Board’s Business Privacy Guide - How to handle personal identifiable information and limit the prospects of identity theft |
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Creating a Document Retention and
Destruction Policy for Your Business: A Check List - It is vital for your
business to have a written policy for the retention and destruction of personal
information to guard against identity theft and security breaches. Please use
this checklist to incorporate fundamental elements into your written policy for
the retention and destruction of personal information |
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NYS Security Breach Law Fact Sheet for Business- A fact sheet for businesses covering N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law. Section 899-aa: security breach law
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Sample
letter from a breaching entity to notify New Yorkers of a security breach
incident - This sample letter from a breaching entity to notify New York
residents of a security breach incident is for informational purposes only. It
should not be construed as legal advice and/or as policy of the State of New
York. It is recommended that you speak with a privacy professional and/or an
attorney for further advice. |
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The New York Social Security Number Protection Law - A fact sheet for businesses covering the N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law Section 399-dd: social security number usage |
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Identity Theft Red Flag Rules Business Alert - A fact sheet for business covering promulgated rules to safeguard data and help banks and financial institutions protect customers against identity theft
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Information Privacy Links
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Information Privacy Links - A page
containing links to information privacy websites |
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Internet Security
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Phishing Scam Prevention Tips - Phishing (also called pharming or whaling) e-mails trick people into sending money or providing personal information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, and Social Security numbers to unauthorized individuals who hijack their information and use it to commit identity theft. Follow these tips to help avoid getting "hooked" by a "phisherman" |
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Spotlight on Phishing Scams - This resource provides information about the prevalent and troublesome Phishing scams
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Internet Safety Tips
- Tips to safeguard on-line consumer transactions |
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Family Internet Safety
- A guide for parents and children |
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Security Measures for Consumers
Accessing the Internet - A guide to safe computing practices, especially
at public "hotspots" |
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Internet Tips on Terms - A glossary
of commonly used terms |
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