Identity Theft A Quick Reference Guide | | PC 530.5: Unauthorized Use of Personal Identifying Information
(a) Every person who willfully obtains personal identifying information, as defined in sub-division (b), of another person without the authorization of that person, and uses that information for any unlawful purpose, including to obtain, or attempt to obtain, credit, goods, services, or medical information in the name of the other person without the consent of that person is guilty of a public offense.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother's maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards and social security benefits, renting apartments and establishing services with utility and phone companies.
What to do if you become a victim: - Set up a folder to keep a detailed history of this crime
- Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents
- Contract all creditors by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem
- Notify the US Postal Inspector if your mail has been stolen or tampered with
- US Postal Inspection Service (See phone listing under Federal Government)
- US Postal Inspection Service - Local Post Office (See phone listing under Federal Government)
- www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem: - www.ftc.gov The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. The FTC helps victims by providing information to help resolve financial and other problems that could result from identity theft. Their hotline telephone number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
- Call each of the three credit bureaus' fraud units to report identity theft. Ask to have a "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact" statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts
- Request that a copy of your credit report be sent to you
Credit Bureaus
Equifax
P.O. Box 74021
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To order your report, call 1-800-685-1111
To report Fraud, call 1-800-525-6285
Experian
P.O. Box 949
Allen, Texas 75013-0949
To order your report, call 1-888-397-3742
To report Fraud, call 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064-0390
To order your report, call 1-800-916-8800
To report Fraud, call 1-800-680-7289
- Alert your banks to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual activity. Request a change of PIN and a new password.
- If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the following companies:
National Check (843) 571-2143 SCAN (800) 262-7771 TeleCheck (800) 710-9898 or
927-0188 CheckRite (800) 766-2748 CrossCheck (707) 586-0551 Equifax Check (800) 437-5120
Systems International Check (800) 526 5380
Services
- Contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271
- Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV's complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.
- Obtain description of suspect (if known)
- Obtain witness information
- What is the financial loss to you? Attach all supporting documentation
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Preventative Actions • Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery
• Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection mailboxes or at your local post office. Do not leave
in unsecured mail receptacles.
• Never give personal information over the telephone, such as your social security number, date
of birth, mother's maiden name, credit card number, or bank PIN code, unless you initiated the phone call.
Protect this information and release it only when absolutely necessary.
• Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information
you don't want before discarding them in the trash or recycling bin
• Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and ID, or better yet, cancel the ones you do not use
and maintain a list of the ones you do.
• Order your credit report from the three credit bureaus one a year to check for fraudulent
activity or other discrepancies.
• Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, trash receptacles, or unattended
gasoline pumps. Keep track of all your paperwork. When you no linger need it, destroy it.
• Memorize your social security number and all of your passwords. Do not record them
on any cards or on anything in your wallet or purse.
• Sign all new credit cards upon request.
• Save all credit card receipts and match them against your monthly bills.
• Be conscious of normal receipt of routine financial statements. Contact the sender
if they are not received in the mail.
• Notify your credit card companies and financial institutions in advance of any change
of address or phone number ¨ Never loan your credit cards to anyone else.
• Never put your credit card or any other financial account number on a postcard
on on the outside of an envelope.
• If you applied for a new credit card and it hasn't arrived in a timely manner, call
the bank or credit card company involved.
• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• Closely monitor expiration dates on your credit cards. Contact the credit card issuer
if replacement cards are not received prior to the expiration dates.
• Beware of mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions offering instant
prizes or awards designed solely to obtain your personal information or credit card numbers.
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