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IF SOMEONE IS USING YOUR IDENTIFYING INFORMATION (NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, ETC) TO OBTAIN GOODS, SERVICES, CREDIT, AND/OR OPEN FRAUDULENT BANK ACCOUNTS YOU ARE A VICTIM OF ONE OF AMERICAS LARGEST GROWING CRIMES, "IDENTITY THEFT". This guide was developed by the Pittsburg Police Department to provide victims of identity theft with the major resources to contact. Victims themselves have the ability to assist greatly with resolving their case. It is important to act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage, In dealing with the authorities and financial institutions, keep a log of all conversations, including dates, times, names and phone numbers. Note the time spent and any expenses incurred. Confirm conversations in writing. Send correspondence by certified mail. Keep copies of all letters and documents. Once you discover you are a victim of identity theft you should notify the following: Credit bureaus. Immediately call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies; Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax. Report the theft of your credit cards or numbers. The phone numbers are provided in this brochure. Ask that your account be flagged. Also, add a victim’s statement to your report, up to 100 words (“My ID has been stolen to apply for credit fraudulently. Contact me at phone number to verify all applications”). Be sure to ask how long the fraud alert is posted on your account, and how you can extend it if necessary. Be aware that these measures may not entirely stop new fraudulent accounts from being opened by the imposter. Ask the credit bureaus in writing to provide you with a free copy every few months so you can monitor your credit report. Ask the credit bureaus for names and phone numbers of credit grantors with whom fraudulent accounts have been opened. Ask the credit bureaus to remove the inquiries that have been generated due to the fraudulent access. You may also ask the credit bureaus to notify those who have received your credit report in the last six months in order to alert them to the disputed and erroneous information (two years for employers). Creditors. Contact all creditors immediately with whom your name has been used fraudulently-by phone and in writing. Get replacement cards with new account numbers for your own accounts that have been used fraudulently. Ask that old accounts be processed as “account closed at consumers request”. (This is better that card “lost or stolen”-when this statement is reported to the credit bureaus, it can be interpreted as blaming you for the loss.) Carefully monitor your mail and credit card bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity. Report it immediately to credit grantors. Creditors requirement to report fraud. You may be asked by banks and credit grantors to fill out and notarize fraud affidavits, which could become costly. The law does not require that a notarized affidavit be provided to creditors. A written statement and supporting documentation should be enough (unless the creditor offers to pay for the notary). Law Enforcement. Report the crime to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in your case. Give them as much documentation as possible. Get a copy of your police report. Keep the report number of your police report handy and give it to creditors and others who require verification of your case. Credit card companies and banks may require you to show the report to verify the crime. It is easier for you to provide law enforcement agencies your credit reports for their investigation. Stolen Checks. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to check verification companies and your bank. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. Give the bank a secret password for your account. ATM Cards. If your ATM card has been stolen or is compromised, get a new card, account number, and password. Do not use your old password. When creating a password, don’t use common numbers like the last four digits of you social security number or your birth date. Fraudulent change of address. Notify the local Postal Inspector if you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of address with the Post Office or has used the mail to commit credit or bank fraud. Find out where the fraudulent credit cards were sent. Notify the local Postmaster for the address to forward all mail in your name to your own address. You may also need to talk to the mail carrier. Social Security number misuse. Call the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent use of your social security number. As a last resort, you might want to change the number. The SSA will only change it if you fit their fraud victim criteria. Also order a copy of your Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy. Passports. If you have a passport, notify the passport office in writing to be on the lookout for anyone ordering a new passport fraudulently. Phone Service. If your long distance calling card has been stolen or you discover fraudulent charges on your bill, cancel the account and open a new one. Provide a password which must be used anytime the account is changed. Driver License number misuse. You may need to change your driver’s license number if someone is using yours as identification on bad checks. Call the state office of the DPS to see if another license was issued in your name. Put a fraud alert on your license. Go to your local DPS office to request a new number. Also notify the DPS if someone has used your name when arrested. Resources: Credit Reporting Bureaus:
Equifax: Roosevelt Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33716-2202 *Report Fraud: 800 290-8749 and write to address above. *Order a credit report: 800 685-1111. *Opt out of pre-approved credit offers: 888 5OPTOUT or 888 567-8688.
Experian: POB 1017, Allen, TX 75103 *Report Fraud: 800 301-7195 or 888 397-3742 and write to address above. *Order a credit report: 888 397-3742 *Opt out of pre-approved credit offers and marketing lists: 888 567-8688
Trans Union: POB 390, Springfield, PA 19064 *Report Fraud 800 680-7289 *Consumer Relations: 800 916-8800 and write to Fraud Victim Assistance Division, POB 6790, Fullerton CA 92834-6790 *Order a credit report: 888 680-7293
Remember, if you have been the victim of credit fraud or have been denied credit you are entitled to a free credit report. If you are a victim of fraud, be sure to ask the credit bureaus for free copies. They will often provide them.
Social Security Administration *Report Fraud: 800 269-0271 *Order your earnings and benefit statement: 800 772-1213
To remove your name from mail and phone lists: *Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service, POB 9008 Farmingdale, NY 11735 *Telephone Preference Service POB 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735 *Texas No Call List: 888 382-1222 *National No Call List:
Other Useful Resources: *Federal Trade Commission: 877 FTC-HELP or www.consumer.gov/idtheft *Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov *Texas Department of Public Safety:
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