Identity Theft - Have You Been A Victim of Identity Theft?

Is Your Identity Secure? Let’s Make Sure!

Identity theft crimes are on the rise nationwide. California is no exception.

Because the driver license (DL) and identification (ID) card are the primary identification documents in California, they are targets for identity fraud. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is doing everything possible to protect your identity.

DMV has designed this brochure to help you understand what identity theft is as well as what DMV is doing to protect your identity.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone gains access to another person's personal information, such as the DL number, social security number, bank or credit card account numbers, and uses them to commit fraud or theft. An impostor can use your identity to open fraudulent credit accounts, secure loans for cars and housing, or steal money from your bank accounts.

How Do Thieves Get Your Information?

Thieves can get your information by:

• Going through your trash looking for bills or other documents with your personal information on it.

• Stealing your mail or your wallet.

• Stealing your credit card and debit card numbers by using “false fronts” attached to the front of ATM devices.

• Listening to conversations you have in public.

• Tricking you into giving them information through the telephone or by email.

• Buying the information on the Internet or from someone who might have stolen it.
• Stealing it from a loan or credit application or from files or dumpsters of a hospital, bank, school, or business with which you have dealt.
• Hacking into your personal computer, especially one without firewall protection.

• Someone you know accessing your personal information such as a friend, relative, roommate, or somebody that works with you or for you.

Prevention Tips:

• If you recently applied for a driver license or ID card and did not receive it within 60 days, call your local DMV office to find out why. Sometimes such items are stolen from mailboxes.

• Avoid putting additional personal information, such as your driver license number, middle name, or telephone number, on your checks. Store cancelled and new checks in a safe place.

• Store your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, you employ outside help, or you are having work done on your house.

• Before putting credit card or ATM receipts, bank account and credit card statements, and unsolicited credit card offers in the trash, shred them (a crosscut shredder works best).

• Reduce the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive by calling toll-free (888)-5OPT OUT (567-8688).

• Put passwords on your accounts instead of using your mother’s maiden name.

• Do not carry your social security number in your wallet. If you have other cards that use your social security number, such as health plans or bank accounts, ask the company for another number. Never give your social security number to someone unless there is a legitimate reason to do so.

• Do not use public waste cans to discard forms or papers that contain confidential information.

• Carry only the minimum amount of identifying information and only one credit card in case your wallet is lost or stolen.

• Pay attention to your billing cycles and statements. If you do not receive a statement, call the bank or the issuing company.

• Always take your receipts for credit card and ATM transactions.
• Never give out personal information on the phone unless you initiated the call.
• Use a locked mail box to send and receive mail.

• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and virus software to protect your home computer; keep them current.

• Monitor and review your credit report. You may request a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-(877)-322-8228 for more information.

What Is DMV Doing To Help Secure My Identity?

DMV is taking the following measures to ensure your identity is secure:

• When renewing or replacing a lost or stolen DL or ID card, the department representatives verify your personal information (height, weight, hair, and eye color, etc.) and check your photo on the DMV database.
• Registered owner(s) requesting replacement license plates or a duplicate ownership certificate for a vehicle are required to provide a California DL or ID card to prove identity.
• DMV employees are continuously trained on fraud document detection.
• Companies, such as auto dealerships or driving schools, licensed by DMV are audited regularly to ensure their compliance with the law.
• Customers applying for a California DL or ID card for the first time are required to provide a birth verification document, an acceptable document to prove legal presence in California, and their Social Security Number.
• DMV verifies legal presence documents with the Immigration and Naturalization Services.
• DMV electronically verifies the Social Security Number with the Social Security Administration.
• A DL or ID card will not be issued until the information provided is verified.

IMPORTANT: DMV uses your social security number for identification purposes. It is not released to anyone unless required by law (Vehicle Code Section 1653.5).

What Do I Do If I Become A Victim Of Identity Fraud?

If you discover that you have become a victim of fraud as a result of DL or ID card identity theft, immediately contact your local DMV for an appointment. At the time of your appointment be prepared to:

• Complete a statement describing the facts of the fraud.
• Submit a copy of the police report, or a written explanation why a report was not filed with the police.
• Submit copies of canceled checks, bills, or letters from companies or banks indicating the fraud.

In addition, you will need to prove your identity. With the exception of an expired California DL or ID card, only current documents are accepted. Here is a partial list of acceptable original documents:

• California DL or ID card
• U.S. birth certificate or Passport
• U.S. Citizen ID Card
• Certification of Citizenship
• Certification of Naturalization
• Permanent Resident Card
• U.S. Military photo ID
• Unexpired foreign passport with a valid I-94

Contact your local DMV office for other acceptable documents.

IMPORTANT: DMV Headquarters will issue a new DL or ID card number when you meet all of the requirements.

DMV DL/ID Fraud Hotline

To report identity theft of your DL/ID information, to the DMV:

• Call toll free 1-(866)-658-5758 or
• Email your information to:

Additional Contacts

Here are some of the bureaus or agencies you may want to contact if you are a victim of identity theft:

Equifax

www.equifax.com
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
1-800-525-6285

Experian

www.experian.com
PO Box 9530
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742

Trans Union

www.transunion.com
Fraud Victim Assistance
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
1-800-680-7289

U.S. Federal Trade Commission

www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Toll free: 1-(877)-438-4338438-4338 or

Identity Theft Clearing House
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov
1-(800)-772-1213 or

Your Local Police Department

FFDL24-(Rev.4/2008)