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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
1.
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.
2.
Learn about
phisher emails and avoid accidentally giving your ID to thieves.
3.
Follow our
online safety tips.
4.
Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails, especially those asking for personal
information.
5.
Verify the address (URL) of websites
by typing them directly into your browser.
6.
Keep your operating system and
browser up-to-date with the latest security updates.
7. Shred all paperwork that may contain personal
information.
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How to Report Identity Theft
If you think you are the victim of
Identity Theft, here are some resources for reporting the crimes and fixing your
credit:
If
you have lost money
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File a police report in local area
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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.
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Federal Trade Commission
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Hotline: 1-877-438-4338
TDD: 1-202-326-2502
Website: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ |
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United States Department of Justice
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Hotline:
(800) 869-4499 |
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Fax
Line: (202) 616-9898 |
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Website:
www.usdio.gov/fraud.htm
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Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline
1-800-269-0271 (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time)
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Credit Reporting Agencies
Trans Union
1-800-888-4213
www.transunion.com
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Trans Union Report Fraud: 1-800-680-7289
Equifax, Inc
1-800-269-0271 www.equifax.com
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Experian
1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
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For more information on how your identity can be stolen, visit the
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