Identity theft happens when someone obtains a person's identifying information (such as: name, address, date of birth, social security number, or mother's maiden name) and uses this information illegally. With this information, an imposter can open new credit card accounts, drain your bank accounts, purchase automobiles, apply for loans, open utility services and on and on.

No matter how cautious you are, you cannot guarantee that a criminal will not somehow obtain your information. The following information will tell you what the warning signs are, how to best protect yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.

Often, there are no warning signs that identity theft has occurred. However, some reasons for concern are:

• Your monthly credit card and bank statements suddenly stop arriving
• You are denied credit for no apparent reason
• You start getting bills from companies you do not recognize
• Credit collection agencies try to collect on debts that do not belong to you

Personal Information

• Ask your bank, doctor's office, other businesses and your employer how they use and protect your personal information

• Never carry your Social Security card, Social Security number, birth certificate or passport unless necessary

• Do not put your address, telephone number or driver's license number on a credit card sales receipt

• Social Security numbers or phone numbers should not be put on checks

• Identifying information should not be given over the phone or the Internet to someone you do not know or on a cellular or cordless phone

• Shred all personal documents before placing them in the trash!

• If your state uses your Social Security number as your driver's license number, ask for another number

Financial Information

• Get a copy of your credit report every year.

• Keep your financial records out of sight. Burglars are just as interested in credit cards, bank accounts and investment statements as they are in your jewelry and other valuables.

• Check monthly credit card statements for charges you did not make. If monthly statements do not arrive in the mail call the lender immediately.

• Keep a list, in a safe place, of all credit cards and bank accounts including the account numbers, phone numbers and expiration dates. Only use your credit card on the Internet if it will be encrypted.

• Shred financial or confidential information such as credit card pre-approvals, credit card receipts, etc.

• If you have credit cards you do not use, store them in a safe place. Cancel the accounts if you will not use them again. Cut up old credit cards before discarding.

• Carry only the credit cards you plan to use.

• When you have applied for a new credit card, keep your eye on the mail and the calendar. If the card does not arrive within the appropriate time, call the credit card company.

• Do not use your mother's maiden name as a password for accounts. Make one up.

• Unless your mailbox is secure, mail payments at the post office and pick up new checks at your bank.

Despite your best efforts to protect yourself, you have become a victim. Now what? The following steps should be taken immediately and at the same time to best insure your protection.

Record Keeping
In the process of resolving the theft of your identity, be sure to keep records of all correspondence with the creditors and government agencies you contact. Include the date and name of contact. Follow up all telephone contacts with a letter, keeping a copy for your records.

Creditors
Notify all creditors and financial institutions (in writing and by phone) that your name and accounts have been used without your permission. If an existing account has been stolen, ask the creditor or bank to issue you new cards, checks and account numbers. Carefully monitor the account activity on your statements. Report fraudulent activity to the issuing company immediately. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) is a federal law that limits a consumer's responsibility for fraudulent charges to $50.

Local Law Enforcement
Immediately report the crime to local police. Provide them with as much documentation as possible. Make sure that the accounts are listed on the police report. Also, get a copy of the police report. Credit card companies, banks and credit reporting agencies may require you to show a police report to support your claim that a crime was committed.

Federal Law Enforcement
Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC collects complaints about identity theft from consumers and stores them in a secure online database called the Consumer Sentinel that is available to law enforcement agencies worldwide. The FTC provides information on ways to resolve problems resulting from identity theft and refers individuals to various private and government agencies for further action.

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20580
1-877-IDTHEFT
www.consumer.gov/idtheft

The Credit Reporting Agencies
Contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report to help prevent new fraudulent accounts from being opened. Keep track of when it expires so you can ask for another one if necessary. However, not all creditors check your credit report before issuing a new account.

Equifax
1-800-525-6285

Experian
1-888-397-3742

TransUnion
1-800-680-7289

Utility companies
Ask utility companies (local and long distance telephone service providers, gas, electric, and water companies) to watch out for anyone ordering services in your name. If someone has ordered services in your name, cancel those accounts. If you are having trouble with falsified accounts, contact your state Public Utility Commission.

If your bank accounts have been tampered with:
• Close those accounts
• Destroy any checks
• Cut up any ATM cards
• When opening new accounts, ask for password protection.

If your checks have been stolen or misused:
• Stop payment on all checks
• Open a new account and reissue checks to legitimate creditors
• Ask your bank to notify its check verification company to stop giving approval for any of the stolen checks.

If you believe your investments or brokerage accounts have been tampered with
• Report it to your account manager and the Securities and Exchange Commission

If you suspect your name and SSN are being used to get a driver's license or non-driver's ID card in your name:
• Contact your Department of Motor Vehicles

Even if you think a problem is resolved, check your credit report every six months for several years after your identity was stolen.

If you are disputing fraudulent debts and accounts opened by an identity thief, the ID Theft Affidavit now simplifies the process. Instead of completing different forms, you can use the ID Theft Affidavit to alert companies where a new account was opened in your name. The company can then investigate the fraud and decide the outcome of your claim.

To obtain your copy of the ID Theft Affadavit, call 1.877.438.4338 or click on the link below:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf

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