Identity Theft
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone acquires key pieces of someone
else’s identity with the intent to commit fraud.
Information such as name, date of birth, social
security number, mother’s maiden name, etc., can help a
criminal impersonate someone. Once criminals have access
to this information, they can commit many different kinds
of fraud, to include: taking over bank accounts, making
purchases, renting apartments, etc.
Once your identity is compromised, it may take years to straighten
out all your personal records. Identity theft is a felony
crime. However,
police cannot help with your credit record or undo the
damage that has been done.
This brochure is designed to help you take steps to
avoid being victimized.
If you already have become a victim, this brochure
will outline the necessary steps you must take to clean up
your record.
Who does it Affect?
Identity theft can happen to anyone in hundreds of different ways.
The availability of high-tech tools, such as color
printers and scanners, has greatly affected this crime.
Today, it is the fastest growing crime facing every
citizen.
Delayed discovery of identity theft and the various ways criminals
can now gain access to your personal information, can
complicate a criminal investigation.
It is possible you may never find out how your
personal information was compromised.
How to Avoid Being Victimized
You cannot shield yourself completely from being victimized, but
you can minimize your risk by completing the
following steps:
1.
Shred all personal documents. Personal
shredders have become very inexpensive and are well worth
the cost. Criminals
often work in groups going through garbage.
Ask your financial institution and other places of
business if they also shred their paperwork.
“Dumpster diving” is a popular form of
obtaining personal information.
2.
Guard your PIN at ATMs —NEVER write the
number down anywhere in your purse or wallet.
3.
Have your checks delivered to your bank
or post office box—not your home address.
4. Avoid putting
outgoing mail in your home mail box . Take it to a postal
box.
5. Get
a locked mail box or post office box.
But be aware that thieves are known to have used
locksmith tools to break into these boxes.
6.
Don’t
carry extra credit cards or your
social security card in your wallet or purse.
7.
Never
give out your personal information on the phone unless you
know who you are speaking to.
8. Do
not use your credit card number on the Internet unless the
site has a secured, encrypted system.
9.
Make
a list of your credit card account numbers and bank
account numbers, with customer service numbers and keep it
in a safe place.
10.
Monitor your bank and credit card statements every month.
Be aware of billing cycles—if you miss receiving
a bill it can be an indication that your credit card
company has received a change of address from someone
other than you.
11. Take your name off promotional lists.
You can opt out of the pre-approved offers for credit
cards (see back panel of this brochure).
PASSWORDS
If
you use an online banking program or other services,
change your password regularly. Use passwords that are a
mix of numbers and characters.
Do not use words that can be found in the
dictionary—–there are computer programs that search
for words to crack passwords.
Memorize your password and write it down only in a
secure place.
REVIEW YOUR CREDIT
Order
your credit report twice a year and review it carefully.
If you have any discrepancies, write each credit
agency separately and explain the situation.
See right for a listing of the three main credit
agencies.
Cleaning up your record
Bank
Contact your financial institution and ask them to flag your
accounts and contact you if there is any unusual activity.
Request a change of your PIN and a new password.
Any compromised accounts should be closed
immediately.
Credit
Contact all creditors by phone and in writing and inform them of
the problem.
Credit Reporting Agencies
Contact each credit reporting agency to inform them of the fraud.
You are entitled to a free credit report if you are
the victim of identity theft, have been denied credit,
receive welfare or are unemployed.
Equifax: www.equifax.com
To order a report, call 1-800-685-1111 or write P.O. Box
740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.
To report fraud, call 1-800-525-6285, and write P.O. Box 740241,
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.
Experian: www.experian.com
To order a report or report a fraud, call 1-800-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
or write: P.O.
Box 949, Allen, TX 75013-0949.
Trans Union: www.tuc.com
To order your report, call 1-800-916-8800 or write: P.O. Box 1000,
Chester, PA 19022.
To report fraud, call 1-800-680-7289 and write: Fraud Victim
Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92384.
Checks
It is imperative that you inform check security companies
about the fraud affecting your account. Contact them
directly at:
National Check Fraud Service 1-843-571-2143
SCAN: 1-800-262-7771
TeleCheck: 1-800-710-9898 or 927-0188
CrossCheck: 1-707-586-0551
Equifax Check Systems: 1-800-437-5120
International Check Services: 1-800-526-5380
Chexsystems: 1-800-428-9623
CheckRite: 1-800-766-2748
Mail
Stolen mail is reported to the U.S. postal inspector or check their
website at: www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
Vacation mail stop 1-800-275-
8777.
Phone
After contacting your phone company, if you are still having
difficulty removing fraudulent charges from your account:
Check website:
www.fcc.gov/ccb/enforce/complaints.html
or
Call 1-888-CALL-FCC (225-532);
Local: Oregon Attorney General’s Office:
1-503-229-5576 (toll-free from Portland).
Employment
If
someone is using your Social Security Number to apply for
work, call: SSA Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271. To verify
earnings on your SSN and to request a statement:
1-800-772-1213.
DMV
Contact
the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if another
license was issued in your name.
DMV may distribute your personal information to law
enforcement, court proceedings and insurance underwriting
purposes, but may not distribute it for direct marketing
without your consent. Eugene Metro Area: 541-686-7855.
Bankruptcy
If
there is a filing in your name, write to the U.S. trustee
in your region where the bankruptcy was filed—–a
listing of regions can be found at www.usdoj.gov/ust
Criminal
Records
If
someone has created a criminal record in your name, call
your local law enforcement jurisdiction.
In Eugene, call Eugene Police Records Division at
(541) 682-5116.
Investments
If
compromised, call your broker or account manager and the
Securities and Exchange Commission: www.sec.gov
Passport
If
stolen or compromised:
http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
Resources
Credit Card
Opt out of pre-screened offers for a two-year period.
Call: 1-888-5OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
Mail
Opt out of mailing offers: DMA Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box
9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735.
E-Mail Lists
Opt out of many national e-mail lists:
www.e-mps.org
Telephone Solicitation
Opt out of telephone solicitation lists:
DMA
Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY
11735-9014.
Experian Marking Lists: Removal
from most marketing lists, 1-800-407-1088.
U.S. Federal Trade Commission
The FTC oversees the operation of credit bureaus and provides
assistance to identity theft victims.
A booklet on identity theft can be obtained by
calling: 1-202-382-4357, or on the Internet at www.ftc.gov
Consumer Organizaitons
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: 1-619-298-3396, or on the
Internet: http://privacyrights.org
Much of the
information on this page was obtained from the Portland
Police Bureau.
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