Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft
By Timothy Suppes, HelpPeople Intake Counselor

The HelpPeople Employee Assistance Program, a service of Crouse Hospital, provides services through an employer-sponsored benefit. For more information, please contact Eileen Siddell, Director at 470-7446.

What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs, when someone uses your name, address, Social Security number (SSN), bank or credit card account number, or other personal identifying information without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity thieves may use a variety of low- and high-tech methods to obtain your personal information, including wallet/pocketbook theft, dumpster diving, shoulder surfing (lurking at ATM machines), phishing/pretexting, (which is the posing by e-mail or phone as a legal company claiming there are problems with your account.) Also home mail theft and retail theft of information.

How to tell if you’re a victim, monitor the following:

• Financial account balances for unexplained charges or withdrawals.
• Bills you receive or other mail, which may signal an address change by the identity thief.
• Denied credit or receive credit cards for which you did not apply.
• Received letters or calls from debt collectors/businesses about merchandise or services you did not buy.
• Follow up with business or institutions to find out if there has been a simple error or mistake. Don’t assume or do nothing about them.

Call to find out how to protect yourself for just pennies a day.
Call Benefit Specialists of NY at (315) 470-1930

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