What everyone should know about
Identity Theft;
What is identity theft?
It involves acquiring pieces of someone's identifying information, such as
name, address, date of birth, social security number in order to impersonate
them. Once acquired this information enables the thief to commit numerous
forms of fraud which include, but not limited to, taking over the victim's
financial accounts.
Identity Crimes can begin with
purse theft, muggings, computer intrusions, mail theft, theft of trash,
theft of documents from businesses, medical facilities, hotels, etc:
What to do if you become a victim
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Contact your Police Department give
them suspect description (if known), any evidence you may have already,
estimated financial loss to you and copies of any and all supporting
documents. The police will assist you with other resources available to
you.
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Keep a detailed history of this
crime.
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Log all your contacts and make
copies of all documents.
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Contact all creditors, by phone and
in writing to inform them of the theft.
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Notify Postal Inspector if your
mail has been stolen.
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Contact Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
for complaints, they help with information to resolve financial and other
problems that could result from identity theft. Their hot line number is
1-887-438-4338.
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Request that a copy of your credit
report be sent to you.
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Contact all 3 of the credit bureaus.
Equifax at 1-800-525-6285..Experian at 1-888-397-3742..Trans Union at
1-800-680-7289. They will require a police report in order to block
fraudulent information.
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Alert banks to flag your accounts
and contact you for any unusual activity. Stolen checks, etc;
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Contact social security at their
fraud hotline number 1-880-269-0271
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Check with Secretary of State to see
if another drivers license has been issued in your name.
Other Information from the Chief
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