Identity Theft Part 2

Identity theft is becoming more common.

Added on 9/14/05

  Precautions that may protect you from Identity Theft are:

1. Give you Social Security Number only to those entities that legally require it.  These would be banks for opening accounts and procuring loans. Medical facilities under some circumstances. It does not include supermarkets, car rental agencies and similar companies.  They do not need your social security number and do not give it to them.

2. Do not supply your date of birth, social security number, credit card numbers and bank account numbers to anyone that you have not contacted.

3. On a regular basis, check your bank and credit card accounts between monthly statements.  This is very easy to do today on the Internet.  Immediately report any suspicious or wrong transactions.

4. Never lend your credit card to someone else. 

5. Always get a receipt after you make a credit card purchase.

6. You are entitled to one free credit report each year.  Ask for one from each of the following credit bureaus by calling 1-877-322-8228 or visiting www.annualcreditreport.com

 If you are unfortunate enough to experience identity theft immediately do the following:

• File a police report

• Get a copy of the police report – insist on it.  You will need it to prove that you had identity theft, especially if there were criminal acts committed in your name by someone else.

• Contact the three credit bureaus listed below and have them put a fraud alert on your accounts.

• Contact all banks, mortgage companies, brokerage firms, utilities and credit card companies that you deal with.

• Close any accounts that had a problem.  Be sure that it is noted that the accounts were closed at the consumer’s request.

• Do not pay any fraudulent charges and the accrued interest.

• Check local criminal records.  If your name shows up – contact a lawyer.

• Block any credit card offers by calling 1-888-567-8688.

• Keep a log of your time and expenses.

• If the theft was bad enough, consider getting a new Social Security Number and Drivers License Number.

List of Phone Numbers:

Credit Bureaus:

            Trans Union – 1-800-680-7289 or www.transunion.com

            Experian – 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com

            Equifax – 1-800-525-6285 or www.equifax.com

Bank Fraud Reporting:

            Certegy – 1-800-770-3792

            Chex Systems – 1-800-428-9623

            Consumer Call Center – 1-800-934-3342

            Cross Check – 1-800-843-0760

            National Processing Company – 1-8002-526-5380

            SCAN (Deluxe) -  1-800-262-7771

            Telecheck – 1-800-710-9898

Other numbers:

            Federal trade Commission – 1-877-382-4357

            Internet Fraud Complaint Center – www.ifccfbi.gov

            National Fraud Information Center – 1-800-876-7060 or www.fraud.org

            Privacy Right Clearinghouse – www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm

            SEC – 1-800-732-0330

            Social Security Administration – 1-800-269-0271