Dictionary

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): A U.S. Federal law giving people the right to view their personal files used by credit reporting agencies. The law gives consumers the right to challenge incorrect information.

false ATM card readers: A false front placed over a legitimate ATM with the ability to gather banking card information.

firewall: In computer security, a firewall is a program that oversees all traffic in and out of a computer and which can block possible threats from said traffic.

fraud alert: You can request credit reporting companies put a fraud alert on your personal credit report if you believe you are the victim of identity theft. This lets creditors know someone may be using your identity.

hacking: Gaining access to a computer system without the owner's consent by manipulating the system's code.

HIPAA: The U.S. Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which has provisions urging healthcare providers to use electronic forms.

identity fraud: In cases of identity fraud the criminal uses fictitious personal information rather than stealing someone else's information.

identity theft insurance: Insurance covering expenses caused by identity theft.