Identity Theft Protection Tips

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Identity Theft Protection Tips

What is Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person's personal information to take on that person's identity. Identity theft is much more than misuse of a Social Security number -- it can also include credit card and mail fraud.

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

The following tips can help lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.

Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card or other cards that show your SSN. Read, "Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number"
Use caution when giving out your personal information. Scam artists "phish" for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or government agencies. They do this over the phone, in e-mails and in postal mail.
Treat your trash carefully. Shred or destroy papers containing your personal information including credit card offers and “convenience checks” that you don’t use.
Protect your postal mail. Retrieve mail promptly. Discontinue delivery while out of town.
Check your bills and bank statements. Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don’t arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.
Check your credit reports. Review your credit report at least once a year. Check for changed addresses and fraudulent charges.
Stop pre-approved credit offers. Pre-approved credit card offers are a target for identity thieves who steal your mail. Have your name removed from credit
bureau marketing lists. Call toll-free 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688).
Ask questions. Ask questions whenever you are asked for personal information that seems inappropriate for the transaction. Ask how the information will be used and if it will be shared. Ask how it will be protected. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, don’t give your personal information.
Protect your computer.Protect personal information on your computer by following good security practices.
- Use strong, non-easily guessed passwords.
- Use firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software that you update regularly.
- Download software only from sites you know and trust and only after reading all the terms and conditions.
- Don’t click on links in pop-up windows or in spam e-mail.
Use caution on the Web. When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy and take opportunities to opt out of information sharing. Only enter personal information on secure Web pages that encrypt your data in transit. You can often tell if a page is secure if "https" is in URL or if there is a padlock icon on the browser window.

Steps to Take if Your Data is Compromised or Stolen

Step 1: Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Reports

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report.

Equifax
Direct Line for reporting suspected fraud:
800-525-6285
Fraud Division
P.O. Box 740250
Atlanta, GA 30374
800-685-1111 / 888-766-0008
https://www.equifax.com

Experian
Direct Line for reporting suspected fraud:
888-397-3742
Credit Fraud Center
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013
888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
https://www.experian.com

Trans Union
Direct Line for reporting suspected fraud:
800-680-7289
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634
Phone: 800-916-8800 / 800-680-7289
https://www.transunion.com

When contacting the Credit Reporting Agency, you should request the following:

Instruct them to flag your file with a fraud alert. There are two types of fraud alerts: an initial alert and an extended alert. An initial alert is used primarily if you suspect you have been or are about to be a victim of identity theft. An extended alert is more appropriate if you know you have been a victim of identity theft. Detailed information on the two fraud alert types are available from the Federal Trade Commission site.
Ask them for copies of your credit report(s). (Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if it is inaccurate because of suspected fraud.) Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts.
NOTE: In order to ensure that you are issued free credit reports, we strongly encourage you to contact the agency's DIRECT LINE (listed above) for reporting fraud. We do not recommend that you order your credit report online.

Additional Measures Regarding Your Credit Reports

Be diligent in following up on your accounts. In the months following an incident, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
If you find that any accounts have been tampered with or opened fraudulently, close them immediately. To ensure that you do not become responsible for any debts or charges, use the ID Theft website developed by the Federal Trade Commission to report the theft and get a recovery plan.

NOTE: If you have not reviewed your credit report before, you may see some inaccurate information or fraudulent activity that existed prior to any recent, suspected identity fraud.

Step 2: Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been compromised

Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company with which you are closing an account. Follow up in writing, and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. It's important to notify credit card companies and banks in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures.

If the identity thief has made charges or debits on your accounts, or on fraudulently opened accounts, ask the company for the forms to dispute those transactions.

Step 3: File a police report

It is important to report identity theft to your local police as soon as you become aware of being a victim. Get a copy of the police report. You may need copies of the police report when notifying creditors. If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incidents" report, or try another jurisdiction, like your state police. You also can check with your state Attorney General's office to find out if state law requires the police to take reports for identity theft. Check the Blue Pages of your telephone directory for the phone number or check www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General.

Step 4: Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline

If you are the victim of a stolen Social Security number, the SSA can provide information on how to report the fraudulent use of your number and how to correct your earnings record. We encourage you to contact the Fraud Hotline immediately once you suspect identity theft. The web site also provides tips on using and securing your Social Security number. Visit the SSA web site for advice on keeping your number safe.

Social Security Administration
SSA Fraud Hotline: 800-269-0271
https://www.ssa.gov

Step 5. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop them. The FTC can refer victims' complaints to other government agencies and companies for further action, as well as investigate companies for violations of laws the agency enforces.

You can file a complaint with the FTC using the online complaint form; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.

Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.

Resources

Maryland Attorney General's Office: Identity Theft Information and Reporting

Federal Trade Commission Links

Information on this page was collected primarily from the Federal Trade Commission's web site, Your National Resource about Identity Theft.

Identity Theft Protection Tips