IDENTITY THEFT

Tips on how to protect yourself from identity fraud

Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes, accounting for billions of dollars in losses every year.  

Police agencies offer the following tips to protect yourself and advice on what to do if it happens to you.

• Don't put your driver's license number or Social Security number on your checks.

• Don't carry your Social Security card of birth certificate in your wallet or purse.

• Try not to carry credit card receipts.  Keep them in a safe place of destroy them.

• Don't carry account passwords with your cards or write them on the card.

• Shred all credit card offers mailed to you.

• Never give your credit card number or bank account information to anyone calling you.

• Ask to have your checks mailed to you bank instead of your home.

• Lock your mailbox.  Don't leave out-going mail in your mailbox; drop it off at the post office or an USPS box instead.

• Instead of signing credit cards with your name, write: "ask to see picture ID."

• Review monthly bills carefully of unexplained charges.

• Shred all documents with account numbers before disposing of them.

• Never order from an unsecured server on the Internet.

• Order your credit report from the three major credit bureaus each year and make sure the information is correct.

If Someone Has Stolen Your Identity 

• Call your local police department and file a report.  Get a copy of the report incase the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime later.

• Notify all three credit-reporting bureaus.  Tell them to put a fraud alert on your file and request that no new credit is granted without your personal approval.

• Change your account numbers for banking, credit cards and phone services.  Put passwords on all new accounts

Resources

Credit Bureaus:

• Experian:       http://www.experian.com -or- 888-397-3742

• Trans Union:  http://www.tuc.com         -or- 800-680-7289              

• Equifax:         http://www.equifax.com   -or- 800-525-6285

• Social Security Administration:   www.ssa.gov  -or- 800-269-0271

• Federal Trade Commission:        http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft                                             -or- 877-438-4338 (ID theft hotline)                                                                                            -or- 877-382-4357 (Consumer Response Center)                                              

• U.S. Postal Service:    http://www.framed.usps.com-or- 800-372-8347

Other Information Sources:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation tip sheet:  http://www.fbi.gov/contract/fo/norfolk/1999/ident.htm                                  

• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse:    http://www.privacyrights.org

• Identity Theft Organization:   http://www.identitytheft.org

• Internet Fraud Complaint Center:   http://www1.ifccfbi.gov

• Scam Watch:   http://www1.ifccfbi.gov

• International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators:   http://www.iafc.org/resources/idtheft.htm

Source of Information:   U.S. Goverment  (Army Echoes Newsletter)