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Identity Theft Is a Serious Crime

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Identity Theft Is a Serious Crime Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when Detect suspicious activity by routinely Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it. your personal information is stolen and used monitoring your financial accounts and billing without your knowledge to commit fraud or statements. • Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports, and review tl1e reports carefully. The alert tells credilors other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and Be alert to signs that require immediate to follow certain procedures before they open new ac­ money. It can destroy your credit and attention: counts in your name or mal<e changes to your existing ruin your good name. accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting • Bills that do not arrive as expected companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial • Unexpected credit cards or account statements 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficien t: Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your • Denials of credit for no apparent reason • Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) information. • Calls or letters about purchases you did not make • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 • Shred financial documents and paperwork with • Charges on your financial statements that you • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 personal information before you discard them. don't recognize Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your • Protect your Social Security number. Don 't carry Inspect: credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you your Social Security card in your wallet or write your haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open and debts on Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if • Your credit report Credit reports contain in fo 1~ your accounts that you can't explain. absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier. mation about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history. • Contact the security or fraud departments of each • Don't give out personal information on the phone, company where an account was opened or charged through the mail or over the Internet unless you • The law requires the major nationwide wilhout your okay. know who you are dealing with. Avoid disclosing credit reporting companies-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion-to give you a free • Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting docu­ personal fin ancial information when using public ments. wireless connections. copy of your credit report every 12 months if you ask for it. • Use the 1D Theft ACfidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support • Never clicl( on links sent in unsolicited emails; your written statement. instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, • Visit www.AnnuaiCreditReport.com or calll-877-322-8228, a service created • Ask for verification that the disputed account has an ti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect been dealt with and the fraudu lent debts discharged. your home computer; keep them up-to-date. U you by these three companies, to order your free annual credit report. You also can write: Annual • Keep copies of documents and records of your con­ use peel' to-peer file sharing, check the settings to versations about the theft make sure you 're not sharing other sensitive private Credit Report Request Service, files. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more infom1ation. P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. • File a police report. File a report with Jaw enforcement • Uyo u see accounts or addresses you don 'I officials to help you correct your credit report and deal • Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, recognize or infonnation that is inaccurate, \vith creditors who may want proof of the crime. your mother's maiden name or the last four digits contact the credit reporting company and of your Social Security number. • Report the tl1eft to the Federal Trade Commission. the information provider. To find out how Your report helps law enforcement officials across • Keep your personal information in a secure place to correct errors on your credit report, visit the country in their investigations. at home, especially if you have roommates, employ ftc.gov/idtheft. outside help or are having work done in your house. • Online: ftc.gov/idtheft • By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) orTIY, 1-866-653-4261 DETER ·DETECT·DEFEND • By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, AVOID Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 flc.govlidthefl FEDERAL TRADE COMM ISS I ON 600 PENNSYLVA NIA AVE., NW, WASH IN GTON, OC 20580 FTC.GOVIIDTHEF T 1-877- 10-THEFT (438-4338) DETER ·DETECT ·DEFEND COMMON WAYS 1D THEFT HAPPENS: AVOID Identity thieves use a variety of methods ftc.gov/idtheft to steal your personal information, including: 1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on il 2. Skimming. They steal crediVdebit card numbers by usi ng a special storage device when processing your card. 3. Phishing. They prctcllll to be financial institutions, companies or government agencies, and send email or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. 4. Hacking. They hack into your email or other on line accounts to access your personal information, or into a company's database to access its records. 5. "Old-Fashioned" Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new DETER·DETECT ·DEFEND checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access. AVOID ftc.govlidtheft To Jearn more about 10 theft and how to deter, detect, and defend against it, visit ftc.gov/idlheft. Or request copies of ID theft resources by writing to: Consumer Response Center Federal Trade Commission FIGHTING BACK AGAINST 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130 Washington, DC 20580 IDENTITY THEFT May 2010 FEDERAL TRADE COMM ISS ION .
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