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Public Announcements |
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Identity Theft |
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What is Identity Theft? Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, birth date, social security number, and mother's maiden name without your permission to permit fraud. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but not limited to, taking over the victim's financial records, opening back accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit card and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utility and phone companies. |
| How Identity Theft Occurs Various methods are used to gain access to your personal information. For example, thieves get information from businesses or other institutions by:
They obtain credit reports by abusing their employer's authorized access to credit reports or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who may have legal right to the information. They steal credit and debit card numbers as your card is processed by using a special information storage device in a practice known as "skimming". They steal wallets and purses containing identification, credit, and bankcards. They steal mail, including credit and bankcard statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, or tax information. They complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location. They steal personal information from your home. They scam information from you by posing as a legitimate business person or government official. Thieves rummage through your trash, or the trash of businesses or dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving". What you can do today
If you are a Victim If you suspect that your personal information has been hijacked and misappropriated to commit fraud or theft, take action immediately, and keep a record of your conversation and correspondence. 1st Step Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review your credit reports. Call the toll-free number of any one of the three major credit bureaus. this can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will automatically be notified to place fraud alerts on your credit report. To report fraud: Equifax: To request a credit report: 800-685-1111. To report fraud: 800-525-6285 or write to P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA. 30374 or the website: www.equifax.com. Experian: To request a credit report or report fraud: 888-397-3742 or write to P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX. 75013 or website: www.experian.com Trans Union: To request a credit report: 800-888-4213. To report fraud: 800-680-7289 or write to P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA. 92634 or email fvad@transunion.com 2nd Step Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Close credit accounts including bank accounts, credit card companies and other lenders, and phone companies, utilities, ISP's, and other service providers. If your checks have been stolen or misused, close the account and ask the bank to notify the appropriate check verification service. While no federal law limits your losses if someone steals your checks and forges your signature, state law may protect you. Most states hold banks responsible for losses from a forged check, but they also require you to take reasonable care of your account. For example, you may be held responsible for the forgery if you fail to notify the bank in a timely manner that a check was lost or stolen. Contact your state banking or consumer protection agency for more information. You should contact the major check verification companies. Ask that retailers who use their databases not accept your checks.
To report the unauthorized use of your personal information, social security number, call 800-269-0271 or fax 410-597-0118 or write SSA Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD. 21235 or email: oig.hotline@ssa.gov or visit their website: www.ssa.gov. Also call SSA at 800-772-1213 to verify the accuracy of the earnings report on your SSN, and request a copy of your Social Security Statement. Also it is recommended to notify the U.S. Passport Agency to be on alert for anyone applying for a passport fraudulently in your name. You can call them at 202-647-0518 or write to: U.S. Passport Agency, 1111 19th Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20522-1705, or their website: www.travel.state.gov.passport The State of Texas has a Driver License Division Fraud Unit that can assist you in the process up to, and including, possible arrest of the identity thief following an investigation. Customer Service Representative: 512-424-2600 or email: fraudunit@txdps.state.tx.us 3rd Step File a report with your local Police Department or Sheriff's Office in the community where the identity theft took place. Keep a copy of the report. You may need it to validate your claims to creditors. If you cannot get a copy, at least get the report number. 4th Step File a complaint with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). To learn more about the FTC's Privacy Policy, go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline at 877-IDTHEFT (438-4338); TDD: 202-325-2505; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. You can also go to the Texas Attorney General's website for more information: www.oag.state.tx.us
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