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Tips for Identity Theft Victims
Victim of Identity Theft: Immediate Actions
1. Report ID Theft to Major Credit Bureaus
Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them that you have been a victim of identity theft, and request that a fraud alert be placed in your file, as well as a victim's statement asking that creditor's call you before opening any new accounts. Typically, if a fraud alert is placed on your credit report, the creditor will call you before opening a new account, making a change to an existing account, or changing your address. They do not have to call you, but they usually will because they will notice a potential problem.
The three main credit bureaus can be reached at:
- Equifax - www.equifax.com
To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 and write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 - Experian - www.experian.com
To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
P.O. Box 949, Allen, TX 75013-0949 - Trans Union - www.tuc.com
To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 and write:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834
If you report fraud, the bureaus can not charge you for your credit report.
2. Obtain Copy of Your Credit Report and Monitor Frequently
Order copies of your credit report from the three main credit bureaus. This contains information on where you work and live, the credit accounts that have been opened in your name, how you pay your bills, whether you have been sued, arrested or filed bankruptcy. By reviewing it, you will be able to tell if there are accounts or charges you did incur. Also, review the section of your report that list inquiries. Where inquiries appear from companies that opened fraudulent accounts, ask that these inquiries be removed. In a few months, order new reports to verify your corrections and changes have been made, and to make sure no fraudulent activity has occurred.
- Equifax - www.equifax.com
To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write:
PO. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 - Experian - www.experian.com
To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:
P.O. Box 949, Allen, TX 75013-0949 - Trans Union - www.tuc.com
To order your report, call: 800-916-8800 or write:
P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
3. Place a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report
Beginning June 8, 2007, any West Virginian will be able to place a security freeze on their credit report by requesting one in writing by certified or overnight mail to any credit reporting agency. A security freeze prohibits, with certain exceptions, the credit reporting agency from releasing any information contained within a consumer's credit report without the express authorization of the consumer. If a consumer later wants to open a new credit account, he can lift the security freeze for a temporary period of time. If the consumer is a victim of identity theft, there is no charge to place or lift the freeze. For all others, the credit reporting agency can charge up to $5.00 for each time a freeze is placed or removed.
If you have any questions regarding the new freeze law, please contact Attorney General McGraw's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808 or go to the Frequently Asked Questions section of this website, www.wvago.gov.
4. File a Police Report With Local Police or Police Where Identity Theft Occurred
File a report with the local police or the police in the community where the identity theft occurred. Get a copy of the report in case the creditors want proof of the crime.
5. File a Report With the Federal Trade Commission
You should also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-IDTHEFT. The FTC can provide the consumers with information and will refer your complaint to the proper authorities. These authorities can prosecute the thief for violating the Identity Theft Assumption Deterrence Act, which is a felony. It is also a felony under state law and is punishable by five (5) years in prison and $1000 fine.
6. Contact All Creditors
Contact the creditors of any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Speak with someone in the fraud department and follow-up in writing. The Federal Trade Commission has created a universal affidavit, which can be sent to every creditor. The affidavit should be sent certified mail - return receipt requested. Make sure you keep a copy of everything you submit for your records.
7. Dispute Bills That Result From Identity Theft
Consumer and privacy advocates suggest not paying any portion of a bill which results from identity theft. Instead, consumers should dispute the card charges with the card company by writing to the address for "billing error" disputes - not the bill payment address. Follow the directions given by the credit card company for disputing charges. This information is usually found on your credit card statement. Your credit score should not be permanently affected, and no legal action should be taken against you as a result of identity theft. If any merchant, financial institution or collection agency suggests otherwise, simply restate your willingness to cooperate, but don't allow yourself to be coerced into paying fraudulent bills. Report such attempts to government regulators immediately.
8. Document Your Actions
Chart your course of action by keeping track of everyone you have contacted, including credit bureaus, creditors, and law enforcement. Keep track of the day of the contact, who you spoke with, and what transpired
9. What To Do If Fraudulent Account Opened In Your Name
If there are unauthorized accounts or charges on your credit report, write the credit bureau telling them what accounts are inaccurate, and explain why you believe they are inaccurate. You may also want to include a copy of the report, in which you circle the items in dispute. Send the letter certified mail - return receipt requested, and keep copies of what you send. Credit bureaus must investigate within thirty days of receiving your complaint. They must forward this information to the information provider. Once the information provider receives information about the dispute, it must investigate, review all the information provided, and report the results to the credit bureau. If the information provider determines that the disputed information is inaccurate, it has to notify the credit bureaus so the information can be corrected. Disputed information that can not be verified must be deleted from your file. If there are corrections, and you make a request, the credit bureau must send notices of corrections to anyone who received the report in the past six months.
10. False Civil and Criminal Judgments
Victims of identity theft can be wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the identity thief. If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken or debts incurred by your impostor, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are wrongfully prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the state Department of Justice and the FBI and obtain information on how to clear your name.
Other Types of Identity Theft
1. Notify West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles of Misuse of Driver's License Number
Many states use consumer's social security number as the driver's license number. West Virginia does not use a person's social security number as the driver's license number. However, consumers do have the option to list their social security number on their license. If your license is stolen or lost, and you had your social security number listed on your license, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to report the incident.
2. Report Stolen Checks and Stop Payment Immediately
If you have checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the appropriate check verification companies. Immediately close accounts that have been tampered with and open new ones with new PINs and passwords. Monitor your account statement. To report fraudulent use of checks:
- Chexsystems: (800) 428-9623
- CrossCheck: (800) 843-0760
- Equifax: (800) 437-5120
- International Check Services: (800) 631-9656
- SCAN: (800) 262-7771
- TeleCheck: (800) 710-9898
3. Report Stolen ATM Cards and Change Passwords Immediately
Immediately close accounts that have been tampered with and open new ones with new PINs and passwords. Do not use common numbers like the last four digits of your social security number or your date of birth. Monitor your account statement.
4. Notify Local Postal Inspector If Fraudulent Change of Address Suspected
If the thief has stolen your mail for access to new credit cards, bank and credit card statements, tax information, or has falsified change of address forms, report it to the postal inspector. If he has changed the address on an account, close it. When you open a new account, ask that a password be used before any inquiries or changes can be made to the account. If you think the thief has accessed your bank accounts, checking accounts, or ATM, close the accounts immediately. When you open new accounts, insist on password access only.
5. Call Security Administration To Report Misuse of Social Security Number
If it appears someone is using your social security number when applying for a job, report it to the SSA Fraud Hotline. Call 1-800-772-1213 to check your social security statement. Stay alert. Get a copy of your credit report every year. Order a copy of your Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy.
- Social Security Administration - http://www.ssa.gov/
- To report fraud, call: 800-269-0271
- To order Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement, call: 800-772-1213
If you fit specific fraud victim criteria, the Social Security Administration may change your Social Security Number. Consider this option carefully. A new social security number does not necessarily ensure a new credit record because credit bureaus may combine the credit records from your old social security number with those from your new social security number. When this is not done, the absence of credit history under your new social security number may make it more difficult for you to get credit. Finally, there is no guarantee that a new social security number will not be misused by an identity thief.
6. Cancel Long Distance Calling Card Accounts If Misuse Suspected
If your long distance calling card has been stolen or you discover fraudulent charges, cancel the account and open a new one. Provide a password which must be used any time the account is changed.
7. Notify the US State Department for Missing or Fraudulent Passport
Whether you have a passport or not, write the passport office to alert them to anyone ordering a passport fraudulently.
8. Legal Advice
You may want to consult a lawyer to determine legal action to take against creditors and/or credit bureaus if they are not cooperative in removing fraudulent entries from your credit report or if negligence is a factor. Contact the Office of Attorney General Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. by calling 1-800-368-8808 or 558-8986.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
A. Guard Personal Information
Before revealing any personal information, find out how it will be used. Ask if you can choose to keep it confidential. Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you are dealing with. Do not respond to e-mails purportedly from your bank seeking personal information. Your bank will not solicit personal information from you in an e-mail. Identity thieves may pose as Internet service providers, representatives of banks, and even governmental agencies. Shred trash that contains personal information. Do not carry your social security card. Take steps to limit the amount of your personal information that is out there. One of the most valuable commodities is information. Companies routinely buy and sell data about consumers. Unfortunately, this information gets in the hands of crooks.
B. Monitor Billing Cycles
Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. Remember how identity thieves will often divert you mail to another address.
C. Utilize Post Office Collection Boxes
Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes. If you leave mail in your own box, you run the risk of identity thieves stealing it.
D. Implement Passwords
Put passwords on your credit cards, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information, like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, or the last four digits of your social security number or phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.
E. Order Your Credit Report Periodically
Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit agencies every year. You are entitled to a free report from each credit bureau once a year.
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