You have the right to ask nationwide consumer reporting companies to place "Fraud alerts" in your file.  A fraud alert advises creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you.

HOW TO PLACE A FRAUD ALERT

Telephone one of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies.  Once that agency processes your fraud alert, it will notify the other two, which must place fraud alerts in your file.

Equifax
800.525.6285
www.equifax.com
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA.  30374-0241

TransUnion
800.680.7289
www.transunion.com

Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA.  92834-6790

Experian
888.397.3742
www.experian.com
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX.  75013

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
877.438.4338
TTY 866.653.4261
www.ftc.gov

Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania., NW
Washington, DC.  20580

Social Security Administration Fraud Line
800.269.0271

An initial fraud alert stays on your file for 90 days.  An extended alert stays on your file for seven years.  The initial 90 day alert can be completed over the telephone.  Requirements for the seven year alert will be mailed to you.  

How To Prevent ID Theft

• Protect your Social Security number and DO NOT carry the card in your wallet.  If your health plan (Other than Medicare) uses your Social Security number, ask the company for a different one.

• Scam artists “Phish" for victims by pretending to be banks, stores, or government agencies.  DO NOT give out your personal information - unless you made the contact.  DO NOT respond to a request to verify your account number or password.  Legitimate companies DO NOT request this kind of information this way.

• Shred or tear up papers with personal information before you throw them away.  Shred credit card offers and “Convenience checks" that you do not use.

• Protect your personal information on your home computer.  Use strong passwords with at least eight (8) characters, including combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols, which are easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess.

• Use firewalls, virus, and spyware protection that you update regularly.  Only download free software from sites you know and trust.

• DO NOT install software without knowing what it is.  Set browser security to at least “Medium."  DO NOT click on links in pop-up windows or in spam e-mails.

 It Could Happen To You

 1.  Next time you order checks, have only your initials, instead of your first and middle names with your last name.

If your checkbook is stolen, the thieves will not know how to sign your checks, but the bank will.

 2.  Do not sign the back of your credit card(s).

Instead, put PHOTO ID REQUIRED.

 3.  When writing checks to pay on your credit card account, do not put the entire account number on the "For" line.

Only put the last group of numbers, either four (4) or five (5) numbers.  The credit card company knows the rest of the numbers and anyone processing the check will not have access to your account.

4.  Put your work telephone number and address on your checks, if you have a P.O. Box, that’s better yet.

You have the right to refuse to give your telephone number and Social Security number to anyone who asks.  Merely say, “I prefer not to give that information," no one can make you.

5.  Photocopy the contents of your wallet, both sides, and keep in a safe place.

If you travel abroad, carry a photocopy of your passport with you.  ID theft is a global problem.

What To Do If It Happened To You

 1.  File a police report immediately, in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred.

This shows your creditors you were diligent.

 2.  Cancel all your credit cards, notify your bank, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The key, is to have the toll free and credit card(s) numbers, bank, and DMV telephone numbers accessible.

 3.  Notify the three(3) national credit reporting organizations to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

Equifax 800.525.6285
TransUnion 800.680.7289
Experian 888.397.3742

Social Security Administration Fraud Line 800.269.0271

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 877.438.4338

Who's Tapping Into Your ID?

33%    Consumer Controlled - From lost or stolen wallets, checkbooks, and/or credit cards

23%    Business Controlled - In-store, mail, or telephone transactions

17%    Taken by friends, acquaintances, relatives, or in-home employees

8%      Spyware, hackers, or computer viruses

7%      Data Breaches - Mostly business controlled

6%      From stolen paper mail

4%      Phishing - E-mail designed to trick people into divulging personal information

2%      Online Access - Online purchases or transactions