What is Identity Theft?

When someone else uses your name, Social Security number, or other personal information to commit fraud, it is called "identity theft." The imposter may open credit cards, get a driver's license or apply for insurance in your name, and create havoc with your personal finances. While identity theft is a crime that can be prosecuted, the thief is often difficult to track. It is important to act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage to your credit history.

Because of the nature of the crime, you may not realize your identity has been stolen until you are denied credit, turned down for a job, or sent a bill for purchases you did not make. By that time, your good name and credit history may be in ruins. Rebuilding good credit in the aftermath of identity theft can take months or even years.

In dealing with the authorities and financial institutions, keep a log of all conversations, including dates, names, and phone numbers. Note time spent and any expenses incurred. Confirm conversations in writing. Send correspondence by certified mail, return receipt requested. Keep copies of all letters and documents.  If you believe you've been a victim of identity theft, please contact our office.

Warning Signs of Identity Theft

 •  You receive bills from a credit account you did not open. 

 •  You see unauthorized charges on your credit card or in bank accounts. 

 •  You are contacted by a collection agency regarding a debt you did not incur. 

 •  Checks disappear from your checkbook. 

 •  Bank and credit billing statements don’t arrive on time. 

 •  Your credit report shows accounts you did not authorize. 

 •  You are turned down for a credit card, loan, or mortgage due to your credit report.

What To Do If It Happens To You

1. Credit bureaus.  Immediately call the three credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union - at the phone numbers below.  Ask that your file be flagged with a fraud alert. Add a victim's statement to your report, such as: "My ID has been used to apply for credit fraudulently. Contact me at [your cell phone number] to verify all applications."   Be aware that these measures may not entirely stop new fraudulent accounts from being opened by the imposter. Request a copy of your credit report and review it for unauthorized account activity.

After review of your credit reports, write to the credit bureaus and ask them to remove any fraudulent accounts.  Be sure to inform the credit bureaus that you have been a victim of identity theft and provide copies of any documentation that you may have.

EXPERIAN - (888) 397-3742

P. O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013-2104

EQUIFAX - (800) 525-6285

P. O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

TRANS UNION - (800) 680-7289

P .O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022-2000 

2. Creditors.  Immediately contact all creditors with whom your name has been used fraudulently, by phone and in writing. You may be asked by banks and creditors to fill out and notarize fraud affidavits. Get replacement credit cards with new account numbers for your own accounts that have been compromised. If someone fraudulently opened a credit account in your name, ask the creditor to send you a letter acknowledging that the account was not yours. Keep this "letter of clearance" for your records. Carefully monitor your mail and credit card bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity. Report it immediately to creditors.

3. Law enforcement.  Report the identity theft activity to your local police department. Give them as much information as possible. Get a copy of your police report. Keep the police report number handy and give it to creditors and others who require verification of the report. Credit card companies and banks may require you to show the report in order to verify the crime. Some police departments have been known to refuse to write reports on such crimes. Be persistent!

4. Stolen checks and fraudulent bank accounts. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently in your name, notify the bank. Review your bank account statements for any unauthorized activity.  Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you didn’t write. Close your checking and savings accounts and obtain new accounts. Give the bank a secret password for your account.

If a store rejects one of your checks, contact the check verification company the store uses and order a report on yourself. The major check verification companies are:

ChexSystems: (800) 428-9623 - click here for order form

Certegy: (800) 437-5120, (866) 543-6315

SCAN: (800) 262-7771, (877) 382-7226 click here for order form

TeleCheck: (800) 710-9898

5. Debit cards. If your debit card has been stolen, report it to your bank immediately. Get a new card, account number and password.  Do not use your old password.  When creating a password, don't use common numbers like the last four digits of your Social Security number or your birthdate.

6. Fraudulent change of address. Notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of your address with the post office. Find out where fraudulent credit cards were sent. Notify the local Postmaster for that address to forward all mail in your name to your own address. You may also need to talk with the mail carrier.

7. Don't give in. Do not pay any bill which is a result of identity theft. Do not cover any checks which were written and/or cashed fraudulently. Do not file for bankruptcy.  If any creditor, financial institution or collection agency suggests otherwise, simply restate your willingness to cooperate, but don't allow yourself to be coerced into paying fraudulent bills.

Protecting Your Identity

You can reduce the chance that you will be a victim of identity theft by taking the following precautions:

 • Do not carry your Social Security Card with you unless you need it for a job

   application.

 • Minimize the amount of personal financial information you carry. Memorize

   passwords and PIN numbers instead of carrying them with you.

 • Reduce the number of credit cards you use and only carry one or two credit cards.  Use

   credit cards that have your photo on them. 

 • Keep personal financial information in a secure place in your home. Shred identifying

   information before throwing it away. 

 • Do not give sensitive information to unsolicited callers. Remember that most legitimate

   businesses will not ask for your Social Security or bank account numbers over the

   phone. 

 • Shield your hand when entering your PIN at an ATM. Take your credit card receipts

   and ATM slips. Shred them before throwing them away. 

 • Do not have your driver's license number, social security number or telephone number

   printed on your checks. 

 • Place your telephone numbers on the Federal Do Not Call List at (888) 382-1222 or

   www.donotcall.gov. 

 • Request that your name be removed from various mail marketing lists and write to the

   Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY

   10512 or sign up online at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing.

 • Have the credit bureaus to remove your name from their mailing and telephone lists by

   calling 1-888-567-8688 or go to the website:  www.optoutprescreen.com.

If you believe you've been a victim of identity theft, please contact our office.