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Identity Theft - Protecting Yourself From Losing Your Good Name

Identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Identity thieves are raising havoc with more and more honest people by stealing Social Security Numbers, credit card numbers, and bank account numbers in order to make purchases for goods and services by making someone else pay for them. Often it takes years for victims to restore their good credit.

Some methods that thieves use include:
  • They change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account without you knowing.
  • They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN. When they use the credit card and don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
  • They establish phone or wireless service in your name.
  • They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
  • They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.
  • They counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
  • They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.
Here are some ways to avoid becoming an identity theft victim:
  • Do not give your Social Security number, mother's maiden name or account numbers to strangers who contact you, especially by phone, Internet or mail.
  • Pay attention to what time of month your bills arrive. If they don't arrive on time, call the creditor and verify your address.
  • Guard your mail from theft. Don't leave outgoing mail in your mailbox. Take it to a collection box or your local post office. Promptly remove mail after it has been delivered.
  • Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts.
  • Don't carry your Social Security card. Leave it in a secure place.
  • Don't carry credit cards or ID cards you don't need.
  • Tear or shred charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, bank checks and statements, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.
  • Regularly order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies to make sure it is accurate

Identity Thieves - How They Do It

  • Mail theft. Thieves will steal credit card payments and statements, pre-approved credit offers and convenience checks.
  • "Dumpster diving". Thieves can find personal information in dumpsters at businesses or in garbage cans at your home.
  • "Insider access". An employee of a business may wrongfully retrieve personal identification information that the business has collected for legitimate reasons.
  • Purse or wallet loss or snatching.
  • Computerized information services. A business that sells personal identification information in electronic form may not safeguard the information appropriately.
  • Internet. Personal information can be accessed by a thief on the Internet.

Identity Theft - What To Do If You Are a Victim

Despite your careful efforts, you could still become a victim of identity theft. Here is what you should do:

First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. Tell them that you're an identity theft victim. Request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file, as well as a victim's statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name.

Second, contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Creditors can include credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities, and banks and other lenders. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor, and follow up with a letter (send it via Certified Mail and ask for a receipt). It's particularly important to notify credit card companies in writing because that's the consumer protection procedure the law spells out for resolving errors on credit card billing statements.

Third, file a report with your local police department or the Sheriff's Office. ID theft is a felony, and charges may be filed against the thief in the county where you live. Ask the police to file a police report and give you a copy. You will need this to help correct your credit rating. Send a copy of the police report to the credit reporting bureaus and to your creditors.

Tell the prosecuting attorney that if the person who stole your identity is found guilty, you'd like the court to issue you an Order Correcting Public Records. This is a court order you can use to correct public records damaged by identity theft. You may also want to send copies of the Order Correcting Records to your financial institution and creditors to assist you correcting non-public records maintained by them.

Ask businesses to provide you with information about transactions made in your name. Under a new Washington State law, businesses must give you this information but may require proof of your identification including a copy of the police report and a statement from the Washington State Patrol that your fingerprints are on file.

If the ID thief has stolen and used your checks (or made counterfeit checks), you will probably be contacted by collection agencies that want you to pay the debts. Explain to each collection agency in writing that you have been the victim of identity theft. You will need to provide the following information: a copy of a government issued photo identification issued prior to the alleged identity theft; a certified copy of a police report; a written statement describing the nature of the fraud or identity theft; information regarding the relevant financial institutions, account numbers, check numbers, etc; and a statement that the subject debt is being disputed because of an identity theft.


Credit Reporting Bureaus

Equifax Experian
(formerly TRW)		 Trans Union
Report fraud:
    1-800-525-6285

Order copy of report:
    1-800-686-1111

Web Site:
    www.equifax.com

Address:
    PO Box 740241
    Atlanta, GA 30374
 Report fraud:
    1-888-397-3742

Order copy of report:
    1-888-397-3742

Web Site:
    www.experian.com

Address:
    PO Box 2002
    Allen, TX 75013
 Report fraud:
    1-800-680-7289

Order copy of report:
    1-800-888-4213

Web Site:
    www.tuc.com

Address:
    PO Box 390
    Springfield, PA 19064



Identity Theft - Where To Go For More Information

To get more information or help with identity theft:

If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Identity Theft Hotline, 1-877-IDTHEFT.

The FTC and Attorney General post step-by-step directions on their websites for reporting identity theft and protecting your credit history. The Internet addresses are:

The Attorney General's Identity Theft experts in its statewide Consumer Resource Centers can help refer you to the proper authorities, assist victims with referrals, and help resolve problems with credit reporting and collections. Consumer Resource Centers can be reached at 1-800-551-4636.


Sources: The Federal Trade Commission and the Washington State Attourney General's Office