Introduction

Identity theft is a growing crime problem that reaches all across America to all states and all corners of this nation. Identity theft is growing at an alarming rate--it is estimated that last year alone, over
700,000 Americans became victims of identity theft. As credit cards become more difficult to alter and/or manufacture, criminals have taken to stealing the personal information of others to obtain
credit, good and services.

Identity theft involves the acquisition of personal information of another person, such as their name, address, date of birth, driver’s license number, social security number, employee identification
number, PIN number, passport number, telephone number, mother’s maiden name, etc. and the use of this information for an unlawful purpose(s).

This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which can include, but are not limited to, taking over one’s financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, applying for
loans, credit cards and social security benefits, renting apartments, buying automobiles and establishing services with utility and telephone companies.

WHAT DO I DO?

If your identity has been stolen:
• Create a folder to keep a detailed history of all identity theft activity.

• Keep a log of all contacts and make copies of all documents.

• Request a copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus.

• Call the fraud units of all three credit bureaus. Ask to have a “Fraud Alert/Victim Impact” statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call your before opening any new accounts.

• Contact all creditors by telephone (and in writing) to inform them of our identity theft problem.

(Sample)
“Courtesy Notice to Creditors/Collection Agency”

(Date)

Dear Creditor or Collection Agency:

On (date), I received your letter demanding payment of $$ amount.
I have no knowledge of this (account/loan/credit-line), I did not open
this account and I am not responsible for any unpaid balance.
Someone other than myself has unlawfully used my personal
information to obtain open/secure this (account/loan/credit-line).
You are a victim of identity theft, as such, you should file a police
report with the appropriate law enforcement agency in your
jurisdiction.

You are hereby notified that on (date), I filed an identity theft report
with the Oconee County Sheriff's Office, case number _______. A copy of this report can be obtained by contacting the OCSO Records Division at (864) 638-4110.

Sincerely yours,

(Name and address)


• Notify the US Postal Inspector if your mail has been stolen or possibly tampered with at: www.usps.gov/

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the theft:
The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity thefts. The FTC assists victims by providing information necessary to resolve financial and other related problems that may follow an identity theft. www.ftc.gov/ Hotline # (877) 438-4338 or 877-IDTHEFT

• Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at:
(800) 269-0271

• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles, determine if any other driver’s license was issued in your name.

• Alert your bank(s) to flag your accounts to any unusual activity. Request that you be notified immediately.

• Change your PIN and obtain new password(s).

• Gather any/all information regarding the person using your identity.

• if you have had checks stolen or fraudulent accounts established, immediately report this information to the financial institution involved and the following: National Check Fraud Service (843) 571-2143

SCAN (Check verification service) (800) 262-7771

TeleCheck (800) 710-9898

Checkrite (800) 766-2748

Equifax Check Systems (800) 437-5120

International Check Services (800) 526-5380

CREDIT BUREAUS
Equifax:
P.O. Box 74021, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To order your credit report: (800) 685-1111
To report a fraud: (800) 525-6285

Experian:
P.O. Box 949, Allen, Texas 75013-0949
To order your credit report: (888) 397-3742
To report a fraud: (888) 397-3742

Trans Union:
P.O. Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064-0390
To order your credit report: (800) 916-8800
To report a fraud: (800) 680-7289

PREVENTION TIPS

• Promptly remove all mail from your mailbox after its delivered.

• Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection mailboxes or at your local Post Office. Do not leave mail in unsecured mail receptacles.

• Never give your personal information over the telephone, such as your social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card number, or bank PIN codes, unless you initiated the telephone call and you are certain whom you are speaking to.

• Shred all pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information before discarding them in the trash or recycling bins.

• Empty your wallet of all unnecessary credit cards and forms of identification. Cancel the credit cards you do not use and maintain a list of the ones you use.

• Order your credit report from one of the three credit reporting bureaus once each year in order to check for fraudulent activity or other discrepancies.

• Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, trash receptacles or unattended gasoline pumps. Keep track of all your receipts, then destroy them.

• Memorize your social security number and all your passwords. Do not record them on anything in your wallet or purse.

• Sign all new credit receipts and match them against your monthly statements.

• Watch for your monthly financial statements. If your statements are not received as expected, immediately contact the sender.

• Notify your credit card company(s) and financial institutions in advance of any change of address or telephone number.

• Never loan your credit cards to anyone.

• Never put your credit card or any other financial account number on a postcard or on the outside of an envelope.

• If you applied for a new credit card, but it has not arrived in a timely manner, call the bank or the credit card company.

• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

• Monitor credit card expiration dates. Contact the card company if the replacement card(s) are not received prior to expiration dates.

INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES
• Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov
• California Department of Consumer Affairs www.dca.ca.gov
• Privacy Rights Clearing House www.privacyrights.org
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service www.usps.gov/
• Identity Theft Resources Center www.idtheftcenter.org