Facts About Identity Theft
Identity theft is a growing crime that affects many hundreds of thousands of citizens each year. How can you help protect yourself from this serious crime and its devastating effects?
Deter
- Shred financial documents
- Protect your social security number
- Don't give out personal information unless you are dealing with a trusted source
- Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails
- Don't use an obvious password
- Keep your personal information in a secure place
Detect
- Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
- Bills that do not arrive as expected
- Unexpected credit cards or account statements
- Denials of credit for no apparent reason
- Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
- Charges on your financial statements that you don't recognize
- Inspect your credit report - law requires the major nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months if you ask for it. These three companies have created a service to order your free annual credit report:
- Online: www.annualcreditreport.com
- Call: 877-322-8228
- By mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Defend
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review the reports carefully
- Equifax: 800-525-6285
- Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
- TransUnion: 800-680-7289
- Contact the security or fraud departments of each company in which you have an account
- File a police report
- Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is a terrific resource and reporting center for Identity Theft and other Consumer Fraud. For additional information, contact the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Clearinghouse:
- Online: www.ftc.gov
- By Phone: 877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), or TTY 866-653-4261
- By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580
