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How can someone steal your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone uses
your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card
number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud
or other crimes.
Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen
can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess
thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims
may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or
even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
How the thief gets your personal information
- Stealing your purse or wallet
- Pilfering information such as bank statements and pre-approved credit card
applications from your mailbox.
- Posing as your employer, loan officer or landlord to get your credit
reports.
- Going through trash for credit card carbons or loan applications.
- Watching transactions at automated teller machines to capture your PIN.
How to minimize the risk
- Never carry your SSN in your wallet or diary or printed on checks.
- Guard your SSN closely, giving it out only to official authorities or
businesses you trust. Some firms will accept another identifier if you ask.
- Be careful how you dispose of documents. Ideally, shred them.
- Exercise your right to stop your credit header being sold, which will also
stop pre-approved offers of credit. Call the credit bureaus' special toll free
line (888) 567-8688.
- Don't post personal information on the internet; for example, on
genealogical or college reunion sites.
- Check your credit report at least once a year.
If you are Victimized
- Contact the fraud departments of any one of the
three major credit bureaus
to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests
creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes
to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud
alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place
fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.
- Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or
opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new
unauthorized accounts.
- File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors
and others that may require proof of the crime.
- File your
complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft
cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint
also helps them learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are
having so that we can better assist you.
Related Pages and Documents
ATM Safety
Internet Safety
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