NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact:
Renee Beauregard 303-400-3456
Ken Scott 713-682-1382, pager 1(800) 901-4418

Tips to Protect Your Identity and Save Your Summer Vacation

Denver, CO - May 20, 2003 - Identity theft is a rapidly growing crime and summer vacation is a prime time for identity thieves to catch the carefree vacationer off guard. Consumers United Association urges consumers to be aware of the potential for identity theft while on vacation.

Identity theft has grown so quickly in Denver that District Attorney, Bill Ritter, reports identity theft is now considered an organized crime and subject to racketeering laws, which makes it a Class II felony. The District Attorney's office also reports that there are approximately 50 reports of stolen identities filed with the Denver and Aurora Police departments each day.

In addition, The Federal Trade Commission reports that identity theft was the number one complaint entered in its consumer database in 2002. Forty-two percent of the 204,000 total complaints regarded identity theft.

To help vacationers protect their identities CUA offers these tips:

• Place a request with your local Post Office that your mail delivery be stopped while you will be gone on vacation. Your credit card statements and other mail give thieves needed information about you that can be stolen from your mailbox.
• Secure all personal information and documents in your home before you leave. Social security cards, birth certificates, credit cards or any document containing personal information should be locked in a box or safe to prevent theft in the event of a home burglary.
• Take only the credit cards and/or checks that you will need with you. Consider using Travelers Checks. They can be usually be replaced within 24 hours if stolen.
• Write down the items you are carrying in your wallet or purse and keep the list in a safe place where you are staying. Do not include any account numbers but do include the phone numbers on the back of the credit or debit cards in case you need to contact them. In the event that your purse or wallet is stolen you will know what was included inside and thanks to your list, can contact the proper persons to cancel credit cards and notify your bank.
• Never include your Personal Identification Number (PIN) with your ATM card or debit card. Memorize the number or if you must write it down keep it in a separate location from the card.
• Do not leave documents that contain personal information in your hotel room. One document that is sometimes overlooked is credit card receipts. Not all merchants block out all but the last 4 digits of your credit card number. So, a misplaced receipt could offer a thief your signature and your credit card number.

Follow these simple tips and enjoy your vacation without worrying about your identity being stolen.

Consumers United Association (CUA) is a nonprofit consumer advocacy association serving consumers in Colorado. Our mission is to improve the financial lives of consumers by providing financial education and advocacy. CUA offers services and resources to aid consumers in the resolution of consumer problems and provides a united voice for consumers in the legislative arena. For more information visit www.cuacolorado.org.