Identity theft occurs when someone illegally utilizes your personal, confidential information; Name, Social Security Number, or credit card number, without your permission or authorization to do so. This action is defined as fraud and is federally enforceable.
Identity Theft can affect consumers in many ways, but there are also many ways to keep your identity from being "hijacked," and to assist you if you have been a victim of identity theft:
Protect your Social Security number (SSN), credit card and debit card numbers, PINs (personal identification numbers), passwords and other personal information.
Protect your incoming and outgoing email with Spyware and Virus protection.
Keep your financial trash "clean." You should shred old, outdated statements and utility bills.
Keep a close watch on your bank account statements and credit card bills. Look for irregular or uncommon activity.
Avoid identity theft on the Internet. Do not provide ANY personal information via email solicitations or even from companies thought to be reliable, without contacting the company FIRST.
Exercise your new rights under Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) to review your credit record and report fraudulent activity. To order your credit report, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:
If you think you're a victim of identity theft or if you notice something suspicious, contact the following resources immediately:
Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department, and follow up with a letter. If necessary, close old accounts and open new ones, and select new passwords and "PIN" numbers (Personal Identification Numbers). Your call also alerts the financial institution to a possible scam that may be targeting other customers.
The FTC is the federal agency responsible for receiving and processing complaints by individuals who believe they may be victims of identity theft. Trained counselors will provide information on the steps you should take to resolve identity-related problems and repair damage to your credit record. Certain cases may be referred to law enforcement agencies, regulatory agencies or private entities that can help. Call toll-free 877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). The FTC also maintains the U.S. government's central website for information about identity theft at https://www.identitytheft.gov. Go there to fill out an online consumer complaint form or link to educational materials.
Ask these bureaus to place a fraud alert on your file, so that lenders and other users of credit reports will be careful before starting or changing accounts in your name. The special toll-free numbers for the fraud departments are: Equifax at (800) 525-6285, Experian at (888) 397-3742 and TransUnion at (800) 680-7289.
Fill out a police report that will detail the identity theft. Obtain a copy of the completed report for your records as it can help you validate questions and/or issues that can arise when dealing with your creditors and other financial institutions.
