Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
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Fastest growing crime in America
-- Individuals as well as corporate concerns are vulnerable.
-- Committed through theft, internet sites, trash, fraud, inside sources, "phishing" and "pretexting." 

Victim's "Must Do" List
-- File a police report.
-- Place a fraud alert on all 3 credit bureaus.
-- Close accounts that you know, or believe have been tampered with.
-- File a complaint with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).

Prevention
-- Check your credit report.
-- Use Passwords on your financial accounts.
-- Secure personal information at home and at work.
-- NEVER give personal information over the phone.
-- Treat your trash carefully.
-- NEVER carry your Social Security Card.
-- Make sure your computer has proper security.

Your credit report
-- It is free, by law. (You do not need to go for the commercial sites at all, they are not free.)
-- On line: www.annualcreditreport.com
-- By phone: 877-322-8228.

Be on Guard
-- The responsibility is yours.
-- Learn the ways to protect yourself.
-- Help others to protect themselves.

Top 10 Tips for Identity Theft Prevention
      from Office of Privacy Protection. www.privacy.ca.gov

An identity thief takes some piece of your personal information and uses it without your knowledge. The thief may run up debts or even commit crimes in your name. The following tips can help your lower your risk of becoming a victim.

1.) Protect your Social Security number.
2.) Fight "phishing" -- don't take the bait.
3.) Keep your identity from getting trashed/
4.) Control your personal financial information.
5.) Shield your computer from viruses and spies.
6.) Click with caution.
7.) Check your bills and bank statements.
8.) Stop pre-approved credit offers.
9.) Ask questions.
10.) Check your credit reports -- for free.

Chart Your Course of Action
Use this form to record the steps you've taken to report the fraudulent of your identity. Keep this list in a safe place for reference.

NATIONWAIDE CONSUMER REPORTING COMPANIES-REPORT FRAUD

Consumer Report Company	Phone Number	Contact Date	Contact Person	Comments
Equifax	1-800-525-6285
Experian	1-800-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Trans- Union	1-800-680-7289

BANKS, CREDIT CARD ISSUERS AND OTHER CREDITORS
(contact each creditor promptly to protect your legal rights)

Creditor	Address and Phone Number	Contact Date	Contact Person	Comments

LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES -- REPORT IDENTITY THEFT

Agency Department	Phone Number	Contact Date	Contact Person	Report Number	Comments

The blocking process is only one way for identity theft victims to deal with frudulent information. There's also the "reinvestigation process," which was designed to help all consumers dispute error or inaccuracies on their credit reports. For more information on this process, see How to Dispute Credit Report. and Your Access to Free Credit Reports, two publications from the FTC at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

SAMPLE BLOCKING LETTER TO CONSUMER REPORTING COMPANY

Date
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code

Complaint Department
Name of Consumer Reporting Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a victim of identity theft. I am writing to request that you block the following fraudulents information in my file. This information does not relate to any transaction that I have made. The items also are circled on the attached copy of the report I received. (Identity item(s) to be blocked by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgement, etc.)

Enclosed is a copy of the law enforcement report regarding my identity theft. Please let me know if you need any other information from me to block this information on my credit report.

Sincerely,
Your Name

EnclosuresL (List what you are enclosing.)

SAMPLE DISPUTE LETTER -- FOR EXITSTING ACCOUNTS

Date
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, Zip Code
Your Account Number

Name of Creditor
Billing Inquiries
Address
City, State, Zip Code

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to dispute a fraudulent (charge or debit) on my account in the amount of
$____. I am a victim of identity theft, and I did not make this (charge or debit). I am requesting that the (charge be removed or the debit reinstated), that any  finance and other charges related to the fraudulent amount be credited, as well, and that I receive an accurate statement.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence to describe any enclosed information, such as a police report) supporting my position. Please investigate this matter and correct the fraudulent (charge or debit) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Your name

Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing.)

CRIMIAL VIOLATIONS
Procedures to correct your record within criminal justice databases can vary from state to state, and even from county to county. Some states have enacted laws with special procedures for identity theft victims to follow to clear their names. You should check with the office of your state Attorney General, but you can use the following information as a general guide.

Fraudulent Account Statement

Completing this Statement

* Make as many copies as you need. Complete as separate page for each company you're notifying and only send it to that company. Include a copy of your signed affidavit.

* List only the account(s) you're disputing with the company receiving this form. See the example below.

* If a collection agency sent you a statement, letter or notice about the fraudulent account, attach a copy of that document (NOT the original).

I declare (check all that apply):

___ As a result of the event(s) descreibed in the ID Theft Affidavit, the following account(s)/were opened at your company in my name without my knowledge, permission or authorizationusing my personal information or identifying documents.

Creditor Name/Address (the company that opened the account or provided the goods or services)	Account Number	Typ of unauthorized credit/goods/services provided by creditor (if known)	Date issued or opened (if known)	Amount/value provided (the amount charged or the cost of the goods/services)
Example Example National Bank 22 Main Street Columbus, OH 22722	01234567-89	auto loan	1/5/2002	$25,500.00

__ During the time of the accounts decribed above, I had the following account open with your company:

Billing Name ________________________________________________________

Billing Address ______________________________________________________

Account Number _____________________________________________________

DO NOT SEND AFFIDAVIT TO THE FTC OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY

The Major credit reporting agencies are:

Equifax www.equifax.com Report fraud: 1-800-525-6285 Order a credit report: 1-800-685-1111 PO Box 740241 Atlanta, Ga 30374-0241

Experian www.experian.com Report fraud: 1-888-397-3742 Order a credit report: 1-800-experian (1-888-397-3742) PO Box 1017 Allen, TX 75013-0949

TransUnion www.tuc.com Report fraud: 1-800-680-7289 Order a credit report: 1-800-916-8800 Fraud Victim Assistance Department PO Box 6970 Fullerton, CA 92834