Identity Fraud- What to do if it happens to you?

Purpose

Identity theft and identity fraud are two of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. These crimes occur when someone uses a person’s identifying information, such as a driver license, birth date, and/or Social Security Card number, without authority, to commit fraud. This brochure provides identity theft victims with important information and resources.

What if Identity Theft and Fraud Happens to You?

• File a police report with your local police. Keep a copy of the police report.

• Keep a log of all conversations related to your identity fraud case such as:

  • Dates.

  • Names of people you talked to.

  • Telephone numbers of the agencies you called.

  • The time you spent on each conversation.
  • Expenses incurred.

• Follow-up on important conversations in writing.

• Send correspondence by certified mail, return receipt requested.

• Keep copies of all letters and documents.

• Contact all creditors.

Credit Bureaus

Credit Bureaus — Immediately call the fraud units of each of the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union — to report the theft or loss of your credit card(s).

Equifax:

P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

• Report fraud: Call 1-800-525-6285 and write to the above address.
• Order credit reports: 1-800-685-1111

Experian:

P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013-0949

• Report fraud: Call 1-888-397-3742 and write to the above address.
• Order credit reports: 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union:

P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

• Report fraud: Call 1-800-680-7289 and write to:

Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634

• Order credit reports: 1-800-916-8800

Fraud Alerts

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can ask the credit bureaus:

• To have your account flagged with a “fraud alert” and place a victim’s statement in your file requiring creditors to call you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing account.
• For the names and telephone numbers of creditors if any fraudulent account(s) have been opened.
• To remove fraudulent entries from your credit report.
• To notify those entities that received your credit report in the last six months to alert them to any disputed or erroneous information.

Important: By law, victims of identity fraud are entitled to a free credit report once a year.

How to Stop Further Identity Theft and Fraud

Banks/Financial Institutions

If your checks are stolen or bank accounts are set up fraudulently in your name, report the fraudulent activity to the check verification companies (see the end of this brochure for names and telephone numbers). Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you may not have written. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and open new accounts. If possible, give the bank a password for your account, other than your mother’s maiden name.

ATM Cards

If your ATM card has been stolen or compromised, request a new card, account number, and password. Do not use your old password. When you create a new password, do not use numbers that are readily available, such as the last four digits of your social security number or your birth date.

Fraudulent Change of Address

Notify your local Postal Inspector if you suspect that someone has changed your address with the post office or has used the mail to commit credit or bank fraud. Contact your local Postmaster to have your mail sent to the correct address. Talk with your mail carrier to alert him/her to the problem

Social Security Number Misuse

Call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-269-0271 to report the fraudulent use of your social security number.

Passports

If your passport is lost or stolen, notify the U.S. Department of State by completing the form DSP 64. This form is available at your local post office or may be obtained at www.state.gov

Telephone Service

Immediately notify your telephone company if your calling card has been stolen or you discover fraudulent charges on your bill.

California Driver License or Identification Card (DL/ID)

If your DL/ID is stolen or misused contact DMV at 1-866-658-5758 or by e-mail at dlfraud@dmv.ca.gov

IMPORTANT: An e-mail or fax transmission of confidential information such as your social security number or credit card information is not fully secure. You may wish to contact DMV by mail or telephone.

Report DL/ID Card Number Misuse

If you discover that you have become a victim of DL or ID card fraud, immediately contact your local DMV to report the misuse. For an appointment call 1-800-777-0133 or you can make an appointment on-line at www.dmv.ca.gov.

At the office, you will need to:

• Submit proof of your identity. Your California DL or ID is sufficient. If you do not have your California DL/ID, you may obtain a list of additional acceptable documents by calling 1-800-777-0133.
• Complete a statement describing the facts of the fraud.
• Submit a copy of the police report or a written explanation of why a report was not filed.
• Submit copies of canceled checks, bills, or letters from companies or banks to substantiate the fraud

Legal Issues and Remedies

False Civil and Criminal Judgments

Sometimes, victims of identity theft and fraud are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by another person(s). If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken by others, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft or fraud. If you are wrongfully prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Ask for information on how to clear your name.

Legal Help

You may want to consult an attorney concerning any legal action that may be necessary to your case.

To Remove Your Telephone Number from Telemarketing Lists:

Register with the Federal Trade Commission’s National DO Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.

To Remove Your Name from Pre-Screened Credit Offers

If you would like to reduce the number of prescreened credit and insurance offers you are receiving, visit www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5OptOut (1-888-567-8688).

To Remove Your Name from Mailing Lists

You can remove your name from individual organization lists. Visit Direct Marketing Association’s website at www.dmachoice.org and register online or download the form and mail it to:

Mail Preference Association
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 282
Carmel, NY 10512

To Report Fraudulent Use of Your Checks — call:

• Your banking institution
• Certegy, Inc. 1-800-437-5120
• Chexsystems 1-800-428-9623
• SCAN 1-800-262-7771
• Telecheck 1-800-710-9898

Other Useful Resources

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides resources on its website to educate consumers about the crime of identity theft. The FTC website provides detailed information, publications, and tools to help you learn how to avoid identity theft and learn what to do if your identity is stolen. To request publications contact FTC at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) or Visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

Websites

You may obtain additional information about identity theft and fraud at the following websites.

Department of Justice:
www.usdoj.gov

Federal Trade Commission:
www.ftc.gov

Identity Theft Resource Center:
www.idtheftcenter.org

Federal Communications Commission:
www.fcc.gov

Internal Revenue Service:
www.treas.gov/irs/ci

Social Security Administration:
www.ssa.gov

U.S. Postal Inspection Service:
www.usps.gov

InternetCrime Complaint Center:
www.ic3.gov