What
is Identity Theft?
A person commits the offense of identity theft if the person without the authorization or permission of another person and with the intent to deceive or defraud:
1. Obtains, possess, transfers, uses, attempts to obtain, or records identifying information not lawfully issued for that person’s use; or
2. Accesses or attempts to access the financial resources of that person through the use of identifying information.
What
is Identity Theft?
Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone’s identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother’s maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim’s financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards and social security benefits, renting apartments and establishing services with utility and telephone companies.
What to do if you become a victim:
⇒ Set up a folder to keep a detailed history of this crime.
⇒ Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies
of all documents.
⇒ Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem.
⇒ Notify the US Postal Inspector if your mail has
been stolen or tampered with:
• US Postal Inspection Service (See phone
listing under Federal Government)
• US Postal Inspection Service - Local Post Office (See phone listing under Federal Government).
• www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
⇒ Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report
the problem:
• www.ftc.gov - The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for the complaints by victims of identity theft. The FTC helps victims by providing information to help resolve financial and other problems that could result from identity theft. Their hotline telephone number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
⇒ Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem. Need tips? Refer to our sample “Courtesy Notice” to creditors.
⇒ Call each of the three credit bureaus’ fraud units to report identity theft. Ask to have a “Fraud Alert/Victim Impact” statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts.
⇒ Request that a copy of your credit report be sent to you.
⇒ Alert your banks to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm an unusual activity. Request a change of PIN and a new password.
⇒ If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the following companies:
• National Check Fraud Service -
(843) 571-2143
• SCAN - (800) 262-7771
• TeleCheck - (800)710-9898 or 927-0188
• CheckRite - (800)766-2748
• CrossCheck - (707)586-0551
• Equifax Check Systems - (800) 437-5120
• International Check Services -
(800) 526-5380
⇒ Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271
⇒ Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.
⇒ Obtain description of suspect (if known).
⇒ Obtain witness information:
• Persons who accept applications
• Salespeople
• Apartment Managers
• Employers
⇒ Evidence: Gather all documents and supply them to the Vermillion Police Department at the time of the initial report or supplemental report.
⇒ What is the financial loss to you? Attach all supporting documentation.
PO Box 74021, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241
-To order your report, call 1-800-685-1111
-To report fraud, call 1-800-525-6285
PO Box 949, Allen, Texas 75013-0949
-To order your report, call 1-888-397-3742
-To report fraud, call 1-888-397-3742
PO Box 390, Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064-0390
-To order your report, call 1-800-916-8800
-To report fraud, call 1-800-680-7289
