Identity Theft

Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States . Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information (such as social security number or credit card) without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. When identity theft happens, it can take months or even years to correct and recover. Below are some frequently asked questions on this issue. Consult the Federal Trade commission website to see steps you can take to minimize your risk of exposure to identity theft.

• What should I do if my personal information (such as credit or bank cards, social security card, or other government-issued identification) has been lost or stolen?
• What should I do if I think I have been a victim of identity theft?
• How do I contact the major credit bureaus?

Q: What should I do if my personal information (such as credit or bank cards, social security card, or other government-issued identification) has been lost or stolen?

Follow these instructions from the Federal Trade Commission:

1. Financially identifying information (bank or credit cards, etc): Visit the Federal Trade Commission Website
2. Social Security number: Call the toll-free fraud number of any of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies and place an initial security alert on your credit reports.
3. Driver's license/other government issued identification: Contact the agency that issued the license or other identification document. Follow its procedures to cancel the document and get a replacement. Ask the agency to flag your file so that no one else can get a license or any other identification document from them in your name.

Q: What should I do if I think I have been a victim of identity theft?

Follow instructions from the Federal Trade Commission:

1. Contact the fraud departments of one of the three consumer reporting companies to and place an extended fraud victim alert on your credit report.
2. Close the accounts that you know or think have been opened fraudulently or tampered with by the thief.
3. File a police report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report or at the very least, the number of the report, you will be asked to submit this information when reporting your fraud.
4. File your complaint with the FTC .

Q: How do I contact the major credit bureaus?

Equifax
To order your report, visit the above link, call 1-800-685-1111 or write to P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

To report fraud, call 1-888-766-0008 and write to P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian
To order your report , visit the above link, call 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013

To report fraud , call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
P.O. Box 9530 , Allen TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322

Trans Union
To order your report , call: 800-888-4213 or write to P.O. Box 1000 , Chester , PA 19022

To report fraud call 1-800-680-7289 and write to the Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634. (TDD: 1-877-553-7803)

Other Useful Resources

United States Postal Service Postal Inspector page - Contains information on identity theft and what you can do about it.

U.S. Secret Service's financial crimes information page - Contains information on how idntity theft is committed and what you can do about it.