Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission released a survey as of September 2003 showing that 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years, including 9.9 million people in the last year alone.
Protecting Your Identity
One of the best ways to fight identity theft is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The following are suggested steps to take to prevent identity theft from occurring:
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Cancel credit card accounts that you no longer use or need.
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Don’t put outgoing mail in or on your mailbox.
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Carry only what you need.
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Do not have your driver’s license, Social Security Number, or telephone number pre-printed on your checks.
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Report lost or stolen checks or credit cards immediately.
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Be careful with receipts that include ATM, debit card, or credit card information.
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Do not provide credit card, account, or personal information to unknown callers, or in response to email requests. Only do so when you have initiated contact, and only to reputable entities.
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Discard mail appropriately. Personal shredders can be purchased cheaply at office-supply retailers. At minimum, tear up, rather than just throw away, unneeded documents containing confidential personal information.
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Guard PINs (Personal Identification Numbers). Do not write them on ATM, debit, or credit cards.
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Monitor your bills. Make sure you receive them regularly, and check the information carefully for unauthorized charges.
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Periodically review your credit report.
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Periodically change on-line passwords.
No matter how careful you are about protecting your personal information, no one is completely safe from identity theft.
Important Reference Information
Credit Bureaus
Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
TeleCheck 1-800-710-9898
Certegy 1-800-437-5120
Securities and Exchange Commission 1-800-732-0330
Federal Trade Commission Identity-Theft Hotline 1-877-438-4338
Social Security Fraud Hotline 1-800-269-0271
United States Postal Service online
www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
If your identity has been stolen…
Contact the three credit bureaus. You can report the identity theft to all three of the major credit bureaus by calling any one of the toll-free numbers below. You will receive an automated telephone system that allows you to flag your file with a fraud alert at all three bureaus. This helps stop a thief from opening new accounts in your name. As a victim of identity theft, you will be sent a free copy of your credit report by each of the credit bureaus. You will get the reports in about five days. Look through each one carefully.
Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Write: Equifax Fraud Assistance
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian 1-888-397-3742
Write: Experian
P.O. Box 949
Allen, TX 75013-0949
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
Write: Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
Contact your local police
Filing a police report can help you deal with creditors. Keep a copy of the report.
Contact the Federal Trade Commission
Call the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID THEFT.
Check your mail carefully
If you receive statements for accounts you do not have, contact these creditors. If you do not receive expected mail contact the post office. A thief may have falsified a change of address.
Review all of your financial-institution and investment accounts.
Immediately report any discrepancies.
Contact your DMV
If you suspect that a thief may try to get a driver’s license of DMV ID card, let the DMV know.
At CFCU, we will do everything possible to help protect you from identity theft. In the event you are a victim, please give us a call at 1-800-232-8101.
