Identity Theft --- What can I do?
If
you become the victim of identity theft, it is important to act
immediately to stop the thief’s further use of your
identity.
-
Immediately contact all your credit card issuers. Get replacement
cards with new account numbers. Ask that the old accounts be
processed as "account closed at consumer’s request." [This
is better than "card lost or stolen," because when
this statement is reported to credit bureaus, it can be interpreted
as blaming you for the loss.]
-
Call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies:
TRW, Equifax, and Trans Union. Report the theft of your credit
cards and/or numbers. Ask that your accounts be flagged. Also,
add a victim's statement to your report such as, "My ID
has been used to apply for credit fraudulently. Contact me at
XXX-XXX-XXXX
[your phone number] to verify all applications."
-
Notify your bank[s] of the theft. Cancel your checking and
savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. Ask the bank
to issue
you a secret password that must be used in every transaction.
Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure
of.
-
If you use the ATM card for banking services, get a new card,
account number, and password. Do not use your old password. When
creating a password, avoid such commonly used numbers as the
last four digits of your Social Security number and your birth
date.
-
If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently,
report it to Telecheck and National Processing Company [NPC].
These check guarantee companies will flag your file so that bogus
checks
will be turned down.
Call Telecheck: 800-366-2425 -or-
Call National Processing Company [NPC]:
800-526-5380
-
The Secret Service has jurisdiction over financial fraud cases.
This federal government agency usually does not investigate individual
cases unless the dollar amount is very high. To interest the
Secret Service in your case, ask someone in the fraud department
of your
credit card companies and/or banks to notify the particular SS
agent they work with.
-
Notify the Social Security Administration’s office of
the Inspector General if your SSN has been used fraudulently.
You may want to have your SSN changed if your number has become
associated
with bad checks and credit. CAUTION: This step should be reserved
for only the most extreme situations. You must be sure to notify
all credit grantors and credit reporting bureaus of your new
SSN.
-
If you have a passport, notify the passport office to be on
the look out for anyone ordering a new passport fraudulently.
-
Call your telephone, electrical, gas and water utilities.
Alert them to the possibility that someone may attempt to
open new service
using your identification. Also contact your long distance
company.
-
The nearest office of the Consumer Credit Counseling
Service might be able to help you remove fraudulent claims
from your
credit report. Call: 800-388-2227.
-
In dealing with the authorities and financial institutions,
keep a log of all conversations, including dates and
names. Send correspondence by certified mail. Keep copies of
all
letters and documents. Provide your police report number
to expedite
reporting
the crime.
-
Consider seeking legal counsel, especially if you
have difficulty clearing up your credit history, or
your case
is complex and
involves a lot of money. An attorney can help you recover
from the fraud
and determine whether your rights under various credit
banking, SSN, and other laws have been violated.
-
Pay attention to your own mental health. Victims
of identity theft report that they often feel they
are somehow
to blame.
They can also feel violated, even powerless, due
in large part to the
fact that few, if any, of the authorities who have
been notified of the crime step forward to help the
victim.
Discuss your
situation with a trusted friend or counselor. Seek
help from a victims
rights organization.
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Credit Reporting Bureaus
Equifax
Copy of Report: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241
Dispute Report: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0256
Order Credit Report: 800-685-1111
Opt Out of Marketing Lists: 800-219-1251
Report Fraud: 800-525-6285
TransUnion
Copy of Report: P.O. Box 7000, North Olmstead, OH 44070
Dispute Report: P.O. Box 403, Springfield, PA 19064
Order Credit Report: 800-851-2674
Opt Out of Marketing Lists: 800-241-2858
Report Fraud: 800-680-7289
Experian
Copy or Dispute Report:
National Consumer
Assistance Center, P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013-2104
Order Credit Report: 888-397-3742
Opt Out of Marketing Lists: 800-353-0809
Remember, if you have been denied credit, you are entitled to
a free credit report.
Social Security Administration
To order Earnings and Benefits Statement, or to report fraudulent
use, visit SSA, call: 800-772-1213.
To remove your name from mailing lists
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008 Farmingdale, NY 11735
Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9015, Farmingdale, NY 11735
To report fraudulent use of your checks
Call Telecheck: 800-366-2425 -or-
National Processing Company [NPC]:
800-526-5380.
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Safety Tools...
Sheriff of Wayne County
1231 St. Antoine
Detroit, MI 48226
Ph: (313) 224-2222
Fx: (313) 224-2367