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Identity Theft

How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

  • Guard personal information. Shred old checks and receipts, bank and credit card statements, credit card applications, credit cards, insurance forms, and any other documents with personal or account information that you are discarding.
  • Protect your mail. Use a locking mailbox. Deposit payments at the local post office or hand deliver them to a mail carrier.
  • Never keep an ATM card and the PIN (Personal Identification Number) together. Do not allow anyone to help you enter a PIN or conduct a transaction at an ATM.
  • Never allow your credit card number to be recorded on a check. Carry only those credit cards that you actually need.
  • Protect your driver license and social security number.
  • Review bank and credit card statements carefully each month. Report any suspicious activity on an account immediately. Be aware of when you regularly receive your statements. Contact your bank or credit card company if you statement is not received when expected.

What should I do if I am the victim of identity theft?

If you are the victim of fraud, there are things you can do to minimize the damage now and perhaps, prevent a recurrence later. The guidelines below include several suggestions regarding whom to contact, along with where, why, and how. Act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage. As you have contact with various agencies and institutions, remember to keep a log of all conversations, including dates, names, and telephone numbers. Confirm conversations in writing. Keep copies of all letters and documents.

Be aware of (and make notations of) time and money spent in resolving related problems. A judgement or conviction may allow you to request restitution.

  1. Report the crime to your local law enforcement department. Ask for your case number and keep a record of it.
  2. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus. You need 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. The three major credit bureaus are:
    • Equifax - To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.
    • Experian - To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013 To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write: P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
    • Trans Union - To order your report, call: 800-888-4213 or write: P.O. Box 1000,Chester, PA 19022
  3. Order a copy of your credit report. Free Credit Reports: Recent changes to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allow consumers to get a free copy of their credit report annually. Beginning December 1, consumers on the West Coast can take advantage of this offer by clicking here or by calling 877-322- 8228.
  4. Once you receive your credit report. Immediately contact all creditors with whom your identity has been fraudulently used, by telephone and mail. Obtain new account numbers for those compromised accounts and ask that the old accounts be processed as “account closed at consumer’s request”. A “lost or stolen” card may be interpreted as blaming you for the loss. Check your mail thoroughly and regularly for any evidence of new fraudulent activity.

For additional information:

You also can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772- 1213 to verify the accuracy of the earnings reported on your social security number, and to request a copy of your social security statement or to get a replacement social security number card if yours is lost or stolen. Follow up in writing.