Identity Theft

A thief will steal your money, your car and now your identity. Each time that you write a check, use your credit card or apply for credit you are at risk. Every transaction that you do involves your personal information that may be stolen. The most popular use of personal information is to open a credit card account in your name. You won't even know that it happened until you receive a bill for an account that you never had.

Identity theft is a criminal offence.

How Your Personal Information is Stolen

Your wallet or purse, containing your ID and credit cards, is stolen.
Your mail, which includes credit card statements and pre-approved credit card offers, is stolen.
Your mail is directed to another address.
Your trash is rummaged through for pieces of your personal information.
Your credit report is obtained through fraudulent means (see credit bureau inquiries)
Your home is broken into and your possession as well as your ID is stolen.
The information you pass on the Internet is lifted.

What A Thief Does With Your Information

Opens a new credit card account using your name, date of birth and SSN number. They go on a shopping spree and you get the bill and bad credit.
A thief will call your credit card company and change the mailing address on your credit account. Your accounts get run up and you will never know because you are not receiving the statements.
A car may be bought using a loan in your name.
A cellular phone is obtained in your name.
A new bank account is opened in your name and bad checks are written.

Protect Yourself

Confirm how your personal information will be used before providing it.
Put passwords on all of your accounts.
If you do not receive your monthly statement or bill, call your creditor. It may have been stolen.
Don't carry your SSN card with you.
Only give out your SSN when you absolutely have to.
Guard your mail from theft.
REQUEST A CREDIT REPORT FROM EACH OF THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES ANNUALY. Make sure there are no strange accounts on your credit report.
Do not simply throw out items with your personal information on it. Tear up copies of credit card receipts. Think twice before you simply toss out your bank statements, insurance information and credit card offers.

If You Are A Victim

File a police report indicating that your identity has been fraudulently used.
Contact the fraud departments of each of the major credit bureaus. Have them flag your account with a fraud alert and a message advising creditors to obtain your direct consent to opening any new accounts.
Obtain a copy of your credit report. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit reports if you have been the victim of fraud. File a request to have the fraudulent accounts removed from your credit report. Check your credit reports in a few months to make sure no new fraudulent accounts have been opened.
If your mail has been stolen, report to your postal inspector.
Establish passwords for all of your accounts so a thief cannot re-direct your accounts to another address.
If your bank account has been tampered with or your checks stolen advise your bank and close the account.
If a calling card or unauthorized calls are being billed to your cell phone, cancel the account and open a new password protected account.
If someone has used your SSN to apply for a job, contact the Social Security Administration to confirm the accuracy of your reported earnings. Call (800) 772-1213.
Getting a new SSN will not solve your problems. This will not open a new credit profile as the credit bureaus will combine the credit records from your old SSN with those from your new SSN.
If your identity is used to obtain a drivers license, report to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If your credit report has been affected, you can contact the credit reporting agencies to have the fraudulent information removed.