What You Can Do To
Avoid This Growing Fraud
The Problem of
Identity Theft
Some 9 million Americans a year are at
risk of having their identities stolen, according to governmental and
private sector estimates. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your
personal information and uses it to establish credit, borrow money,
charge items or even commit crimes in your name.
While the incidence of Internet identity
theft is growing, fraud experts agree that you still are more likely to
become a victim of this federal crime by more traditional means, such as
improperly discarding credit card or other financial data. Here are some
tips on how to avoid becoming an ID theft victim and what to do should
you be stung by one of these thieves.
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
- Never respond to unsolicited requests
for your social security number (SSN) or financial data.
- Before discarding, shred credit card,
ATM receipts and any pre-approved credit offers you have received,
but don't plan to use.
- Check all credit card and bank
statements for accuracy.
- Avoid easy to figure out access and
personal ID (PIN) codes.
- Obtain a copy of your credit report
yearly and check it for accuracy.
- Use only secure sites when making
online purchases. Secure pages begin with "https."
- Pay for online purchases by credit
card to assure you get what you paid for and to limit your
liability.
- Safeguard your SSN, and check Earnings
and Benefit statements annually for fraudulent use.
IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM
If you find you have become a victim of
identity theft, immediately take the following actions:
- File a police report.
- Contact your banker.
- Notify all of those with whom you have
a financial relationship.
- Tag accounts closed due to fraud.
"Closed at consumers request."
- Notify credit bureau fraud units.
- Establish a password for telephone
inquiries on credit card accounts.
- Place a fraud alert statement on your
credit report.
- Request bi-monthly copies of your
credit report until your case is resolved.
- Report check theft to check
verification companies.
- Check post office for unauthorized
change of address requests.
- Follow-up contacts with letters and
keep copies of all correspondence.
REMAIN ALERT
Suspect ID theft if you're denied credit
for no apparent reason or if routine financial statements stop arriving
in a timely manner.
WHERE TO GET HELP
Credit Reporting Bureaus:
| Social
Security Administration |
| Report Fraud |
800-269-0271 |
| Order Benefits and
Earnings Statement |
800-772-1213 |
| Report
Fraudulent Check Use |
| Check Rite |
800-766-2748 |
| Chexsystems |
800-428-9623 |
| CrossCheck |
707-586-0551 |
| Equifax |
800-437-5120 |
| National
Processing Co. |
800-526-5380 |
| SCAN |
800-526-5380 |
| TeleCheck |
800-710-9898 |
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INDENTITY THEFT AND HOW TO
AVOID IT CAN BE FOUND AT:
Federal Trade Commission:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Americans For Consumer Education and Competition:
http://www.acecusa.org/tips/
