Identity Theft

WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?

Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone’s identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, and mother’s maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim’s financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utility and phone companies.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM

·         Set up a folder to keep a detailed history of this crime.
·         Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents.
·         Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem.
·        Notify the US Postal Inspector if your mail has been stolen or tampered with.

You can find the telephone number for the US Postal Inspector listed under the Federal Government section of the phone book. You can also access them over the internet at: www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect

· Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem at:: www.ftc.gov The FTC is the federal clearing house for complaints by victims of identity theft. The FTC helps victims by providing information to help resolve financial and other problems that could result from identity theft. Their hotline telephone number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

· Call each of the three credit bureaus’ fraud units to report identity theft. Ask to have a “Fraud Alert/Victim Impact” statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts.

· Request that a copy of your credit report be sent to you.

EQUIFAX:
PO Box 74021 ,
Atlanta , GA 30374-0241
1-800-525-6285
or to order your report call:
1-800-685-1111.

EXPERIAN:
PO Box 949 ,
Allen , TX 75013-0949
1-888-397-3742
or to order your report call:
1-888-397-3742.

TRANS UNION:
PO Box 390 ,
Springfield , PA 19064-0390
1-800-680-7289
or to order your report call:
1-800-916-8800.

· Request a change of PIN and Alert your banks to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual new password.

· If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the following companies.

National Check Fraud Service 1-843-571-2143	SCAN 1-800-262-7771	TeleCheck 1-800-710-9898 or 1-800-927-0188
CheckRite 1-800-766-2748	Equifax Check Systems 1-800-437-5120	International Check Services 1-800-526-5380

· Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

· Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.

· Obtain a description of the suspect (if known).

· Obtain witness information.

· What is the financial loss to you? Attach all supporting documentation.

PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS

· Promptly remove mail from your mailbox.

· Deposit outgoing mail in Post Office collection mailboxes or at your local Post Office. Do not leave your mail in unsecured mail receptacles.

· Never give personal information over the phone, such as your social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card number, or bank PIN code, unless you initiated the phone call. Protect this information and release it only when absolutely necessary.

· Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information you don’t want before discarding them.

· Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and IDs, cancel the ones you do not use and maintain a list of the ones you do.

· Order your credit report from the three credit bureaus once a year to check for fraudulent activity or other discrepancies.

· Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, trash receptacles, or unattended gasoline pumps. Keep track of all your paperwork. When you no longer need it, destroy it.

· Memorize your social security number and all of your passwords. Do not record them on any cards or on anything in your wallet or purse.

· Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.

· Save all new credit card receipts and match them against your monthly bills.

· Be conscious of normal receipt of routine financial statements. Contact the sender if they are not received in the mail.

· Notify your credit card companies and financial institutions in advance of any change of address or phone number.

· Never loan your credit cards to anyone.

· Never put your credit card or any other financial account number on a postcard or on the outside of an envelope.

· If you applied for a new credit card and it hasn’t arrived in a timely manner, call the bank or credit card company involved .

· Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

· Closely monitor expiration dates on your credit cards. Contact the credit card issuer if replacement cards are not received prior to the expiration dates.

· Beware of mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions offering instant prizes or awards designed solely to obtain your personal information on credit card numbers.

INTERNET AND ON-LINE SERVICES

· Use caution when disclosing checking account numbers, credit card numbers or other personal financial data at any Web site or on-line service location unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.

· When you subscribe to an on-line service, you may be asked to give credit card information. When you enter any interactive service site, beware of con artists who may ask you to “confirm” your enrollment service by disclosing passwords or the credit card account number used to subscribe. Don’t give them out.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE
VIA THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION