Although we know ways to prevent Identity Theft, it still occurs.
PrivacyRights.org, 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years, including 9.91 million people or 4.6% of the population in the last year alone. So below are some helpful tips on what to do if you suspect foul play!
What if you show up at your destination and realize you have been scammed?
1. Of course, find an alternate accommodation.
2. Once you are settled in a new accommodation you can alert your bank or credit card company to the fraud so they can stop payment dispute the charge.
3. Keep copies of all communications with the person who scammed you and a record of all monies paid and the accounts involved. There may be bits of information within those communications that can help police track down the scammer.
4. File a police report with the local police to document the incident. Insurance agencies often ask for a police report of any alleged theft. If you have travel insurance, check whether you are covered for this type of loss, as each plan is different.
So, do what your instinct tells you — do what all tourists are known for — ask a lot of questions and always check the directions – and you can avoid a rental scam!
How can you tell if you have been a victim?
People whose identities have been stolen can spend time and money cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of their name and credit record. Identity theft may cause many barriers to everyday life; victims may lose out on job opportunities, and loans for education, housing, or cars. They may even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. If you have lost any personal information or its been stolen, check all your reports frequently for the first year and monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Other indications of identity theft can be failing to receive bills or other mail because an identity thief has submitted a change of address, receiving credit cards for which you did not apply, denial of credit for no apparent reason, or receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise/services you didn’t buy. If an identity thief is opening new credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You can find out by ordering a copy of your credit report from the three nationwide consumer-reporting companies.
Getting a credit report
Getting a credit report is simple and more importantly FREE! An amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (link to www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/031224fcra.pdf) requires each of the major nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. It is now available for free at Annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228. If you spot something, alert your card company or the creditor immediately. You may also want to subscribe to a credit protection service, like Experian's Credit Check, which alerts you any time a change takes place with your credit report.
• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com;
• Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com;
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com;
If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps from the Federal Trade Commission t as soon as possible, and keep a record with the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.
1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.
Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies above to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too.
Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order one free copy of your credit report from each of the three consumer reporting companies
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up in writing, and include copies of supporting documents. It's important to notify credit card companies and banks in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
You can file a complaint online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.The printed FTC ID Theft Complaint, in conjunction with the police report, can constitute an Identity Theft Report and entitle you to certain protections. This Identity Theft Report can be used to (1) permanently block fraudulent information from appearing on your credit report; (2) ensure that debts do not reappear on your credit report; (3) prevent a company from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft; and (4) place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.
4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
Call your local police department and tell them that you want to file a report about your identity theft. Ask them if you can file the report in person. If you cannot, ask if you can file a report over the Internet or telephone. If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incident" report, or try another jurisdiction, like your state police. You also can check with your state Attorney General's office to find out if state law requires the police to take reports for identity theft.
Managing your personal Information
By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop them. You can file a complaint online at
www.consumer.gov/idtheft. If you don’t have Internet access, call the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TDD: 202-326-2502; or write: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.
For more help visit www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
In New York City we all know searching for an apartment can be very challenging, complicated, and more importantly time consuming, which is why many opt to use a broker. When using a broker in New York City it is very important to do some background research to prevent you from becoming a victim of a scam. The Department of State mandates that
Real Estate Brokers/a> be licensed and regulated by the state. There is also a list of all licensed brokers available on the website to help you not be a victim of a broker scam.
Also if you feel that a licensed broker has acted in an untrustworthy or incompetent manner, you may file a complaint with the Department's Division of Licensing Services. The complaint will be reviewed and an investigation will be commenced to determine whether the licensee should be disciplined. A licensee who is found to be in violation of the law is subject to reprimand, fine, suspension or revocation.
For assistance or referrals regarding off-campus concerns (housing search strategies, landlord/tenant conflicts, short term options, listing and availability, etc.) NYU students may schedule a consultation appointment by contacting the Off-Campus Housing Office by telephone, 212-998-4620 or via email, offcampus.housing@nyu.edu
New York University affiliates may also register for our Listings => DIRECT! service by sending an e-mail request. Participants of this service
receive recently approved listings from within the Off-Campus Housing Registry - via e-mail. The service is available exclusively to the NYU community, and distribution is available to NYU e-mail addresses ONLY. If you unable to access your NYU e-mail account, make sure to contact ITS to activate it. Information about eligibility for NYU Home accounts is available at www.nyu.edu/its/students. You may also contact the Off-Campus Housing Office at (212)
998-4620 or offcampus.housing@nyu.edu for additional information.
The term for this service is two months. If, after the two month term, you have not found an apartment or wish to continue receiving listings, you may renew your registration by contacting the Off Campus Housing Office.
Contact The Off-Campus Housing Office at (212) 998-4620 for more information.
New York University has a cooperative relationship with Citi Habitats Relocation which offers a discounted broker commission to the NYU community. To access the Citi Habitats Relocation program, you
must register through the Off-Campus Housing Office. Discounts
cannot be guaranteed if you contact Citi Habitats directly.
The Citi-Habitats program is one option available to NYU students. NYU students are free to use any real estate brokerage they choose.
Register for the Citi-Habitats Relocation Program
The Off Campus Housing Office provides assistance to current and newly admitted NYU students, faculty, and staff (including those with families or non-student roommates) who are not eligible for or not interested in NYU student housing, and are seeking private off campus apartments for rental or purchase. Off-Campus Housing is dedicated to the successful transition of New York University affiliates and to being an abundant resource of information, guidance, and services.
Please note: If you do not wish to continue receiving the Off-Campus Update, please reply to this email by typing "Please Remove" in the subject box, and you will be removed from our mailing list.
