| How identity thieves get your personal information: | |
| They steal wallets and purses containing your identification and credit and bank cards. They steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, and tax information. They complete a “change of address form” to divert your mail to another location. They rummage through your trash, or the trash of businesses, for personal data in a practice known as “dumpster diving.” They fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for, and legal right to, the information. They find personal information in your home. They use personal information you share on the Internet. They scam you, often through email, by posing as legitimate companies or government agencies you do business with.(Is Someone "Phishing" for Your Information? They get your information from the workplace in a practice known as “business record theft” by: stealing files out of offices where you’re a customer, employee, patient or student; bribing an employee who has access to your files; or “hacking” into electronic files. |
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| How identity thieves use your personal information: | |
| They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, ask to change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there’s a problem. They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. They establish phone or wireless service in your name. They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account. They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they’ve incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction. They counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account. They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name. They give your name to the police during an arrest. If they’re released from police custody, but don’t show up for their court date, an arrest warrant is issued in your name. |
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| Take Charge, Fighting Back Against Identity Theft Booklet of helpful information. |
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| Useful Resources: | |
| · Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC offers information for victims. File your case with the FTC Consumer Response Center. Include your police report number. Use the FTC uniform affidavit form. (877) IDTHEFT (877-438-4338) Web: www.consumer.gov/idtheft · Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC), 3100 - 5th Ave., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103. Phone: (619) 298-3396. Contact Us: www.privacyrights.org/inquiryform.html Web: www.privacyrights.org. · Identity Theft Resource Center, P.O. Box 26833, San Diego, CA 92196. Lists regional victim support groups on its web site. Offers many guides for victims. (858) 693-7935 Web: www.idtheftcenter.org. E-mail: itrc@idtheftcenter.org · FBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center, Web: www.ifccfbi.gov · U.S. Dept. Of Justice, identity theft information. Web: www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html · Identity Theft Survival Kit. Phone: (800) 725-0807. Web: www.identitytheft.org. · US Public Interest Research Group:, Web: www.pirg.org To report fraudulent use of your checks · CheckRite: (800) 766-2748 · Chexsystems: (800) 428-9623 · CheckCenter/CrossCheck: (800) 843-0760 · Certigy/Equifax: (800) 437-5120 · International Check Services: (800) 526-5380 · SCAN: (800) 262-7771 · TeleCheck: (800) 710-9898 |
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| To remove your name from mail and phone marketing lists: Direct Marketing Association -- Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. -- Web: www.dmaconsumers.org. Online opt-out program costs $5.00. It is free by mail. FTC's telemarketing Do Not Call registry -- (888) 382-1222 -- Online registration: www.donotcall.gov See PRC Fact Sheets No. 4 and No. 5 on reducing junk mail and telemarketing calls. -- Web: www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs4-junk.htm and www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs5-tmkt.htm How can I get copies of my credit reports? Contact each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax - www.equifax.com To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report. Experian - www.experian.com To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013 To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write: P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013 TDD: 1-800-972-0322 Trans Union - www.transunion.com To order your report, call: 800-888-4213 or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634 TDD: 1-877-553-7803 |