ID THEFT PREVENTION

How to Prevent

Even after taking all possible precautions, a person may still become a victim of identity theft. Everyone shops, pays taxes and buys groceries and all of these transactions make your personal information potentially available to others. If you take some of the steps below, you can make it more difficult for anyone to steal your identity.

Here are some things that can be done to protect against identity theft:

• Avoid giving out your Social Security number. Do not write it on checks or other documents unless it is required for services.
• Never give personal information, credit card numbers, PIN's or social security numbers to someone over the telephone.
• Shred all credit card offers, bank and credit card statements and other personal documents.
• Use the Postal blue mailboxes to mail outgoing letters and pick up your mail promptly.
• Review and reconcile bank and credit card statements on a monthly basis.
• Do not conduct on-line banking or other password sensitive activities over a "wireless" network.
• Check credit bureau activity reports at least once a year, through all three major credit bureaus. Challenge any activity or information on it that is incorrect or unusual.

How to Detect

Identity thieves are very creative.

1. They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your accounts.
2. They may open new accounts in your name, resulting in potential delinquencies on your credit.
3. They may establish telephone service in your name.
4. They may open bank accounts in your name.
5. They may file for bankruptcy to avoid paying debts they have incurred in your name.
6. They may take out loans to purchase vehicles in your name.
7. They may obtain a fake driver's license using your name and photo.
8. They may give your name and identification to the police if arrested.
9. They may use your identity to collect insurance or medical benefits.
10. They may use your identity to collect social security, disability or Medicare benefits.

Tips to thwart identity thieves

1. Use your social security number only in cases where it is required by law or essential.
2. Use your initials and your last name only in your telephone directory listing.
3. Delete your home address from your automobile registration and proof of insurance cards that you carry in your vehicle.
4. Use only official U.S. Post Office blue mail boxes for outgoing mail.
5. Use gel ink when writing checks. It saturates the paper of the check and is not easily "washed" out.
6. Shred all credit card offers and financial offers before disposing of them.
7. Before giving your credit card number to a person who has called you requesting a donation, take the time to check to make sure the charity is legitimate through the state's Attorney General or online at www.guidestar.org.
8. Do not complete entry forms at expos or in contests. This provides your personal information to people you do not know.
9. Check your credit through all three main credit bureaus once a year.
   

How to Prevent

Every year financial institutions and credit card companies send out "Privacy Notices" which give customers the opportunity to limit the use of his or her personal information. Once completed, the customer shouldn't need to make the request again, unless other businesses transactions follow which may negate the original option.

To "opt out" of receiving firm offers, call:
1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com

To remove your name from direct mail lists, send your name,
address and telephone number to:
DMA Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

To remove your name from calling lists, send your name,
address and telephone number to:
DMA Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 1559
Carmel, NY 10512

To place your name on the "DO NOT CALL" list: Call: 1-888-382-1222
On-line: www.donotcall.gov

To remove your e-mail address from many direct e-mail lists,
visit: www.dmaconsumers.org

Free Credit Report

A change in the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA ) now requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies to provide citizens with a free copy of their credit report, at their request, once every twelve months.

How to order your FREE credit report

Visit the website: www.annualcreditreport.com is the only FREE website. Telephone: 1-877-322-8228

Mail: Annual Credit Report Request Services
P.O. Box 105283
Atlanta, GA 30348-5283
Note: standardized form must be used (download here)

What is a credit report?
A credit report contains information on your residency, list of your creditors, your payment history, if you have ever been sued or if you have ever filed for bankruptcy. This information is sold by the consumer reporting agencies to creditors, insurers, employers and other businesses for their use in evaluating applications you complete to apply for credit, insurance, employment or home rental.

Credit Bureaus:

Equifax: To obtain a credit report: **
Call: 1-877-576-5734
Or write: P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-024

Experian: To obtain a credit report: **
Call: 1-888-397-3742
Or write: P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX  75013

TransUnion: To obtain a credit report: **
Call: 1-800-680-7289
Or write: P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

**Fee is charged for the report unless it is ordered as the result of filing a report as an Identity Theft victim and provides a "police report number". There is always a fee charged to obtain the credit score.

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