Resources Equifax: 1-800-685-1111; www.equifax.com To file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft or call the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free at (877) ID-THEFT (438-4338). |
Protect Yourself — ID Theft
Nearly 10 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Identity thieves open new accounts in other peoples’ names and rack up debts on existing accounts, using consumers’ Social Security numbers, bank account information, addresses or phone numbers. Identity theft victims may spend years – and large sums of money – restoring their credit histories and their good names.
Are you a victim of Identity Theft?
Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Other indications of identity theft can be:
- failing to receive bills or other mail. This could mean an identity thief has submitted a change of address.
- receiving credit cards for which you did not apply
- denial of credit for no apparent reason
- receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you didn’t buy
If it happens to you:
- Place a “fraud alert” on your name and Social Security number by calling all three national credit reporting bureaus (see contact information), and review your credit reports.
- Cancel all credit/debit ATM cards immediately – keep all toll-free numbers, along with account numbers, in a safe place where you can find them easily.
- File a police report immediately, in the jurisdiction in which your identification was stolen. This shows credit providers you were diligent and it is a first step toward investigation.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (see contact information).
To help prevent identity theft:
- Examine all financial records frequently and carefully.
- Request copies of your credit report from all three main credit-reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
- If a bill is late in arriving, contact the company.
- Don't give your personal or financial information to anyone unless there is a legitimate need.
- Shred all mail that has identifying information, especially anything with a bar code or account number, such as those on subscription magazines.