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What Is Identity Theft?
Identity Theft occurs when an imposter takes your personal data - name,
Social Security number (SSN), driver's license number, address and/or
birth date - and uses it for his/her own financial gain. This
person(s) may apply for telephone service, credit cards or loans, buy
merchandise, lease cars or apartments and even use your identity to gain
employment, working as you.
Can this happen to me?
Yes, In 2000, with about 600,000 victims
nationwide, the Federal Trade Commission declared identity theft the
fastest growing crime today. There are many ways that thieves can
steal your identifying information. It can be as high tech as
computer hacking or as low tech as digging through your trash. It
can be an unknown store clerk or someone you know and trust.
How can I prevent becoming a victim?
While no one can totally prevent this crime from occurring to you,
here are some positive steps to take which will decrease your risk:
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Check your credit reports once a year
from a credit reporting agency (three are listed in this document).
This is one of the best ways to find out if someone is using your
information without your knowledge. There may be a small charge for
these reports.
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Guard your Social Security
Number. When possible, don't carry your social security card
with you. That also includes any cards or badges that may
include this number on it. Resist giving it out unless
absolutely necessary and don't put your SSN or your drivers license
number on your checks.
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Guard your personal information.
You should never give a social security number to a sales clerk unless
applying for credit. Get credit cards with your picture on
them. Be alert to shoulder surfers listening for
information. Cancel any credit cards you no longer use and carry
as few as possible in your wallet. Add passwords to all your
credit cards and bank accounts. Use a random word rather than
your mother's maiden name. Don't store account numbers or
passwords on your computer. Question why a business has
requested personal information you think is not appropriate. Ask
how they protect you from ID theft.
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Carefully destroy papers you throw out,
especially those with sensitive or identifying information. A
good, crosscut paper shredder works best.
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Be suspicious of telephone
solicitors. Never provide information unless you have initiated
the call. You may choose to block your name from marketing
lists. If you call 1-888-5optout, you will eliminate most of the
pre-approved credit card offers you receive.
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Watch what happens to your credit card
when you give it to a store clerk. Carefully read your monthly
statements and immediately report any unauthorized charges.
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How do most victims find out about the
crime?
Typically they find out when applying for a loan, a new credit card,
when they receive a call from a collection agency or when a pre-employment
criminal background check reveals a past record. Annual review of
your credit bureau reports will minimize these impacts.
What should I do if I become an identity
theft victim?
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Contact the credit grantors - credit
card companies, banks, utility companies, merchants and governmental
agencies involved.
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Contact each of the three credit
bureaus listed below and request a copy of your credit card
report. You should also place a fraud alert with each of these
companies so that no one can open a new account without your express
permission.
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Contact the police department where you
live. In Toledo you can make a report at any one of the District
Stations. Get a copy of the report, make several copies of the
report, you'll need it to clear up your records.
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Call the Federal Trade Commission at
1-877-IDTHEFT and tell them about the crime. They are collecting
statistics about this crime and one of their databases is linked to
law enforcement.
Credit Reporting Agency contact
information:
TransUnion: 1-800-888-4213
www.tuc.com
To report fraud: 1-800-680-7289 TDD 1-877-553-7803
Experian:
1-888-EXPERIAN www.experian.com
To report fraud: 1-888-397-3742 TDD 1-800-972-0322
Equifax:
1-800-997-2493 www.equifax.com
To report fraud: 1-800-525-6285
Important Resources and Internet
Links:
www.idtheftcenter.org
- The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a national non-profit
program dedicated to ID theft victim assistance and public/
corporate awareness.
www.privacyrights.org
- Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a national non-profit program that
focuses on both privacy and identity theft issues.
www.ifccfbi.gov
- The FBI and its Internet Complaint Center.
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