Identity Theft

By John Pacheco

West Hills Group Security Specialist

 

According to the FBI, identity theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime in America.  Identity theft poses a tremendous liability for all organizations and individuals.

 

There are five common types of identity theft.  These areas include driver’s license, social security, medical, character/criminal and financial.

 

Driver’s License:  Thieves can claim to be you during a traffic stop.  Your driving privileges could be suspended or revoked and you could be arrested during a routine traffic stop for crimes you did not commit.

 

Social Security:  Thieves use your information to gain employment or to report income under your name.  Thieves take the income, but don’t pay the taxes, leaving you with the bill.

 

Medical:  Thieves use your information for insurance benefits, Rx, Medicare, Medicaid benefits, or for medical tests.  Your rates could go up, your coverage could be cancelled or used up, and your medical history could be altered.

 

Character/Criminal:  Thieves mask their criminal activity behind your identity.  You could be denied employment because of fraudulent criminal records found during routine background checks.  You can be arrested, denied a passport and barred from leaving the country.

 

Financial:  Thieves use your information to open new accounts or to gain access to existing accounts.  They can destroy your credit, forcing you to pay higher interest rates.  You can be held responsible for the debts incurred by the thieves in your name.

 

Identity theft is not just about credit cards.  It is a legal issue and having access to an attorney may be critical to resolving related matters.

 

West Hills Community College District offers all benefited employees an identity theft protection and legal services plan as a payroll deducted option.

 

These services were presented at the Classified Staff In-Service meeting in February. Employees were educated on the five areas of identity theft and given the opportunity to enroll in the benefit.  For more information or to enroll in the benefit, contact West Hills Group Security Specialist John Pacheco at 559-972-5884 or john@thebenefitbroker.com.