Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Identity theft is a very real and aggravating problem. Identity thieves assume your name, date of birth, SSN and credit rating – which they ruin by posing as you to buy or rent things. They may also get a driver’s license and citations in your name, then fail to appear, resulting in a warrant for your arrest.
The problem is growing, due in part to widespread publication of your personal and financial information on the Internet. Sources of this information include merchants, creditors, court files and theft. Your information can be stolen from your home, car, mail or business.
If your identity is stolen, it can take more than a year of concerted effort to clear up your credit record. You will likely be refused credit, including mortgages; collection agencies will call you at home and work; merchants will likely refuse to accept your checks. You could be arrested and even held in jail.
Prevention Tips
Steps you can take to minimize the risk of your identity being stolen
Never leave your wallet, purse, checkbook, credit receipts in your car.
Car prowl is a prime source for identity theft.
Have your mail delivered to a secure location.
Mail box theft is another common source for identity thieves. Your credit card bill has everything a criminal needs to make purchases by telephone or on the Internet.
Don’t put bill payments in your unlocked mailbox for postal pickup.
Carefully review your account statements and credit bills. Contest any unauthorized items or entries.
Don’t give out personal information over the telephone unless you initiated the call. Identity thieves can pose as representatives of banks, ISPs, collection agencies, government agencies, etc. to get you to reveal your account numbers, passwords, SSN, or mother’s maiden name.
Never use a debit card or check when shopping online. Once stolen from your account, it can be difficult to recover your money. Consider using one credit card only for your online purchases. Use a secure browser when sending credit card numbers over the Internet. Review your bill carefully as soon as you get it. Contest unauthorized charges.
Keep a list of all your credit/debit cards, card numbers, and issuer phone numbers. This will facilitate your reports to creditors/banks if your purse/wallet is stolen.
Memorize your ATM password. Never store the password in your purse or wallet.
Shred your financial garbage. Including credit receipts, pre-approved credit offers, credit checks. Cross-cut shredders are best.
Cancel unused credit cards and charge accounts.
Be stingy with your SSN. Don’t give it out to everyone who asks. Make thoughtful decisions regarding whether the requester really needs it. Ask to use other types of personal identifiers.
Do not print your SSN or drivers license number on your checks. Carry only the number of checks you will need on a given day. Keep pads of blank checks in a safe place.
Never carry anything with your SSN on it. If your health insurance card shows your SSN, ask your insurer for a new card without the SSN. Until you get your new insurance card, carry it only when you need to use it.
Opt out. Prevent credit reporting agencies from selling your name, SSN, address and credit rating. Merchants who want to offer you credit cards or sell you merchandise buy your financial information. This is a source for personal information that can ultimately be published on the Internet. Contact the “Opt out” option of all credit reporting agencies.
Prevent your creditors and identity clearinghouses from selling or “sharing” your personal information. Your creditors generally sell or “share” your name, address, SSN, financial information, spending and bill paying habits unless you tell them not to. This information often finds its way to clearinghouses for personal information, and to the Internet. Find sample letters preventing disclosure at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, www.privacyrights.org** and JUNKBUSTERS, www.junkbusters.com**. Clearinghouses and other publishers of personal information are listed below.
Obtain and review your credit reports regularly. Dispute incorrect information. Be sure the agency has a correct address for you, especially if you have moved or suspect your identity has been stolen. For one free report per year from each agency, call 1-877-322-8228, or www.annualcreditreport.com**. Ask that only the last 4 digits of your SSN show on your report.
If Your Identity Has Been Stolen or Misused
Make a police report. Make a police report at your local police department and obtain a copy. Possible crimes include theft, mail theft, car prowl, and identity theft.
Reports to financial institutions. Contact a credit reporting agency, your banks, creditors and the check guarantee-verification companies as soon as possible, and ask for fraud alerts and a credit freeze. This will alert creditors to contact you before issuing new credit.
Other Action. Close all compromised accounts. Open new accounts with new numbers. “Flag” all other accounts. Obtain passwords for checking and savings accounts. Stop payment on any outstanding checks you are unsure of.
Obtain copies of all records involved in fraudulent transactions. Merchants must provide the records, even for wholly fraudulent accounts. 15 U.S.C. 1681g(e).
Keep detailed records of who you talk to and when.
If a bill/statement is late, contact customer service immediately.
Review your credit reports regularly for additional unauthorized activity.
Other Contacts, places to find help:
Federal Trade Commission. Accepts complaints from ID theft victims: Identity Theft Hotline: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), or, Identity Theft Clearinghouse, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580.
To request the booklet “ID Theft, When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name:” (877) FTC-HELP (382-4357), or mail a request to the FTC, Consumer Response Center at the above address.
Find more ID theft information at www.consumer.gov/idtheft**.
U.S. Postal Service. If theft of U.S. Mail is involved, or if the identity thief filed a change of address with the post office, contact the U.S. Postal Inspector. In King County, (206) 442-6300, Or Postal Inspection Service, United States Postal Service, PO Box 400, Seattle, WA 98111-4000 or online at www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/Mailfraudcomplaint.htm**.
Passports. If you have a passport, notify the passport office in writing that your identity has been stolen and to be on alert for anyone ordering a new passport in your name.
Department of Motor Vehicles. If you suspect someone has obtained a false driver's license in your name or is using your driver's license number: (360) 902-3915, or Department of Licensing, Drivers Special Investigations, PO Box 9029, Olympia, Washington 98507-9029. E-mail: fraud@dol.wa.gov or visit the website: www.wa.gov/dol**.
Social Security Administration. If you believe your SSN has been used by a stranger: (800) 269-0271, or SSA Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD. 21235. Fax: (410) 597-0118. Email: oig.hotline@ssa.gov. To order Earnings & Benefits Statement: (800) 772-1213 or web: www.ssa.gov**.
More help is available on websites. Type “identity theft” into your search engine.
Credit Reporting Agencies. It is important to include your social security number and current address when writing to the three credit bureaus.
Equifax: Opt Out: (800) 567-8688, or PO Box 740123, Atlanta, GA 30374-0123. Report fraud: (800) 525-6285, or PO Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348-0123 or FAX (770) 375-2821. Order credit report: (800) 685-1111 or www.equifax.com**.
Experian: Opt Out: (888) 567-8688, or Attention Consumer Services, 901 West Bond, Lincoln, NE 68521. Report fraud: (888) 397-3742 or PO Box 9530, Allen, TX, 75013, FAX (972) 390-3974. Order credit report: (888) 397-3742. www.experian.com**.
Trans Union: Opt Out: (888) 567-8688, or Trans Union LLC's Name Removal Option, PO Box 505, Woodlyn, PA 19094. Report fraud: (800) 680-7289 or Fraud Victim Assistance Dept, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834, FAX (714) 447-6034. Order credit report: (800) 888-4213. www.transunion.com**.
Chexsystems: Collects bad check reports from merchants. To review and dispute incorrect entries: (800) 428-9623, or Attn: Consumer Relations, 12005 Ford Road #600, Dallas, TX 75234, or FAX 972-241-4772, https://www.consumerdebit.com/consumerinfo/us/en/chexsystems/faqs.htm**.
Check Guarantee-Verification Companies: To report theft or fraudulent use of your checks:
CheckRite: (800) 780-2305, www.checkrite.com**
CrossCheck: (800) 654-2365, (800) 843-0760 or (707) 586-0431, www.cross-check.com**.
Certegy (claims): (800)437-5120
International Check Svcs: (800) 526-5380
SCAN: (800) 262-7771 or 1-877-382-7226, https://www.consumerdebit.com/consumerinfo/us/en/scan/faqs.htm**.
TeleCheck: (800) 366-2425, (800) 710-9898 or (800) 700-9898, www.telecheck.com**.
Fair Credit Report Act: Victims of Identity theft have the right to obtain copies of credit application and transaction applications. Details: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/bus_curb.htm
Clearinghouses And Other Publishers of Personal Information. Companies that buy personal financial information and sell it, unless you direct them not to: www.privacyrights.org
Direct Marketing Association: Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008 and Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014. www.the-dma.org**.
Dun & Bradstreet: Customer Service, 8310 Capitol of Texas Highway Austin, TX. 78731. www.dnb.com**.
Haines & Co., Criss-Cross Directory,
8050 Freedom Avenue, N.W., North Canton, OH 44720 www.haines.com**.
Experian Corp.: List Maintenance, 901 W. Bond, Lincoln, NE 68521 www.experian.com**.
Donnelley Marketing: One American Lane, Greenwich, CT. 06831. www.donnelleymarketing.com**.
InfoUSA Inc. & InfoUSA.com: 378 Vintage Park Drive, Foster City, CA. 94404. www.infousa.com**.
ADVO, Inc.: One Targeting Center, Windsor, CT. 06095. www.advo.com**.
R.L. Polk & Co.: 26955 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI. 48034. www.polk.com**.
Lexis-Nexis and P-Find: ATTN: Lexis-Nexis Name Removal, P.O. Box 933, Dayton, Ohio, or https://www.lexis-nexis.com/terms/privacy/data/remove.asp**.
National Do Not Call Registry. Allows you to remove your name from telemarketing lists. (888) 382-1222, www.donotcall.gov**.
This Informational Brochure Published By:
King County Prosecutor’s Office
Complex Prosecutions and Investigations Division
500 Fourth Avenue, Room 840
Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-9010
www.metrokc.gov/proatty/fraud/identity.htm
** External Link
Dated: January 26, 2007
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