Identity Theft
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft happens when a fraudster steals key pieces of your personal financial information. This information may include your name, credit card information, home address and phone number, social security number, date of birth, etc.
Once a thief has this valuable information, he/she can use it to make purchases in your name. Since most e-commerce companies verify identity by asking for the same information the thief has stolen, the thief can fool the site’s security measures. He/she can run up your debt, commit fraud, and disappear without a trace, leaving you to clean up the mess. The damage done to your credit can take years to correct.
Be aware of the different ways your personal information can be compromised. The most common way is through phisher emails, trash searching, or someone looking over your shoulder when you least expect it.
How to protect yourself
- Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you've initiated the contact or are sure you know whom you're dealing with.
- Learn about phisher emails and avoid accidentally giving your ID to thieves.
- Follow our online safety tips.
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails, especially those asking for personal information.
- Verify the address (URL) of websites by typing them directly into your browser.
- Keep your operating system and browser up-to-date with the latest security updates.
- Shred all paperwork that may contain personal information.
How to Report Identity Theft
If you think you are the victim of Identity Theft review the inforation avaliable at the Federal Trade Commission website: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
If you have lost money
- File a police report in local area.
- Close all compromised credit/debit cards and miscellaneous accounts.
- If a credit or debit card account is compromised, be sure to have a new account number issue to you. Just because the perpetrator does not physically have your card does not mean they do not have the account number.
Here are some resources for reporting the crimes and fixing your credit:
- Federal Trade Commission
- Hotline: 1-877-438-4338
TDD: 1-202-326-2502
Website: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
- United States Department of Justice
- Hotline: 1-800-869-4499
Website: www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html
- Social Security Administration
- Hotline: 1-800-269-0271
Website: www.ssa.gov/oig/guidelin.htm
- TransUnion
- Hotline: 1-800-680-7289
Website: www.transunion.com
- Equifax
- Hotline: 1-800-525-6285
Website: www.equifax.com
- Experian
- Hotline: 1-888-397-3742
Website: www.experian.com
