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IDENTITY THEFT
Safeguard your personal information: • Shred financial documents and personal papers before you discard them. • Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give out your Social Security number only if absolutely necessar y. • Don't give out personal information on the phone, on the Internet, or the mail unless you know who you are dealing with. • Computer safety Don't click on unknown e-mails. Use firewalls and anti-spyware and anti-virus software. • Passwords Don't use something obvious such as your birthdate, your children's, mother's maiden or pet's names, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. • Keep personal information in a secure place. Protect yourself from outside help or roommates.
To stop receiving "pre-screened" offers of credit: call toll-free 888-567-8688
To stop receiving unsolicited phone calls: register on the Web at the National Do Not Call Registry: www.donotcall.gov/register/Reg
To stop junk mail and e-mail: Mail Preference Service MPS www.dmachoice.org
Monitor your financial accounts and bills: • Be aware of: — unexpected credit charges on charge cards that you did not make — new credit card or account statements — denial of credit for no reason — letters or calls about purchases you did not make • Inspect your credit report yearly. Law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies to give you a copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it. Equifax 887-567-5734; www.equifax.com Experian 888-397-3742; www.experian.com TransUnion 800-680-7289; www.transunion.com Visit www.AnnualCreditReport. com to order your free credit report each year. Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Common ways ID theft happens: • Dumpster diving — They rummage through trash looking for bills or anything with your personal information on it. • Skimming — They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card. • Phishing — They pretend to be financial institutions and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. • Changing your address — They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form. • Old-fashioned stealing — They steal wallets, mail, etc.
As soon as you suspect ID theft: • Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports and review them carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. Call one of the three major nationwide consumer reporting companies for an initial 90-day fraud alert. Equifax 887-567-5734 Experian 888-397-3742 TransUnion 800-680-7289 • Close accounts. — Close any account that has been tampered with or opened. — Call security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your approval. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents. — Use the ID Theft Affidavit at FTC.gov/ idtheft to support the written statements. — Ask for verification that the disputed account had been closed and fraudulent debts discharged. — Keep documents and records of your conversations about the theft. • File a police report. • Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. This helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigation. Internet: ftc.gov/idtheft Phone: 877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) Mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse Federal Trade Commission Washington, DC 20580
Source: Federal Trade Commission
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