| Identity Theft, Forgery & Credit Card Abuse
Minimizing the Risk of Identity Theft, Forgery and
Credit Card Abuse
- Before you reveal any personal identifying information, ask how it will be used and if it will be shared with others.
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if they don't arrive on time. A missing bill could mean a thief has taken over your credit account and changed your billing address.
- Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery. If you are on vacation call the U.S Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a vacation hold until you can pick up the mail.
- Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, last four digits of your SSN, phone number or a series of consecutive numbers.
- Only carry the credit cards you actually need.
- Do not give out personal information over the phone, through mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you are dealing with.
- Shred all charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, banks checks and statements that you are discarding, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.
- Be cautious about where you leave personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates or employ outside help.
- Make sure your employer maintains your personal records in a safe location.
- Give out your SSN only when necessary. Don't carry your SSN with you.
- Order your free credit report from each of the three Credit -Reporting Agencies every year. Make sure you check it for accuracy.
First: Contact the fraud department of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them you have been a victim and request a "Fraud Alert" to be placed in your file. This will help to prevent a thief from opening additional accounts in your name.
Second: Contact the creditors of the fraudulent account or accounts that have been tampered with and close them. If you open new accounts, create new passwords.
Third: File a report with your local police. Additionally file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
- Prepare a list of fraudulent accounts with transactions containing the credit card numbers and or the information, which was compromised. Include addresses and contact information.
- Dates, times and location of credit card usage or dates and location when fraudulent accounts were opened.
- Bank or credit card statements regarding the fraudulent use.
- Copy of Bank or Creditor Affidavit.
Credit Bureaus Contact Information
Equifax
http://www.Equifax.com
To order your report call 1-800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia GA 30374-0241
To report fraud call 1-800-525-6285
TDD: 800-255-0056 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta GA 30374-0241
Experian
http://www.experian.com
To order your report or report Fraud, call 1-888-397-3742
TDD: 800-972-0322
To order your report write: P.O. Box 2104, Allen, Texas 75013
To report Fraud write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, Texas 75013
Transunion
http://www.transunion.com
To order your report call 1-800-916-8800
Or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
To report Fraud call 1-800-680-7289
TDD: 877-553-7803 and write:
Fraud Victim Assistance, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
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