Identity Theft- Advisory

According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports, identity theft has affected millions of Americans and is a persistent problem.

How can someone steal your identity?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record.

What do I do if I think my identity has been stolen?

Steps to follow:

CREDIT BUREAUS: Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts, and all three of the credit reports will be sent to you (usually) free of charge.

ID THEFT AFFIDAVIT: Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the "ID Theft Affidavit" disputing new unauthorized accounts. Reference the FTC for the affidavit.

POLICE REPORT:File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

FTC COMPLAINT:File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps to learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that the FTC can better assist others in proof of a crime. 

What are some other tips to guard against identity theft?

TIPS:

• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox.
• Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, public trash cans or unattended gasoline pumps.
• Shred pre-approved credit card offers before discarding them.
• When making an ATM transaction, block the screen and keyboard with your body.
• Memorize your Social Security number and all of your passwords.  Do not record them on any cards or on items in your purse or wallet.
• When writing a check for a credit card payment, do not write the entire account number on the check.  Instead, just use the last four numbers
• Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks.

  For more information about identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site:  www.ftc.gov.

Back to FAQs