Identity Theft…How To Protect Yourself From Becoming A Victim.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity Theft is the fraudulent use of another person’s identity for some type of gain. This usually takes the form of using another person’s identity to obtain credit cards, steal money from bank accounts, apply for loans, obtain a job, rent an apartment, obtain utilities or telephone, or avoid paying fines.
Where do they get this information?
• Vehicle burglars target property left in a vehicle containing your personal information (purses, wallets, registration, etc.)
• Mail thieves target incoming and outgoing mail out of home mailboxes that contain personal information and account numbers.
• Dumpster divers scrounge the trash for copies of credit card bills or receipts, bank statements or other personal papers containing information.
• Sales clerks, restaurant employees, anyone you have paid using a check or credit card or anyone who has requested your identification to complete a transaction.
• Telephone books, internet, anywhere your name, address or other personal information may appear.
Protect your Personal Information
• To “opt out” of receiving pre-screened credit and insurance offers from the credit bureau mailing lists call:
DMA Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
• To remove your name from calling lists place your name on the national “Do Not Call” list:
Call: 1-888-382-1222
On-line: www.donotcall.gov
The list is updated four times a year (January, April, July and October).
• To remove your e-mail address from many direct e-mail lists, visit:
• To remove your name from Sweepstakes lists:
Readers Digest:
Call: 1-800-310-6261
Write: Reader’s Digest
P.O. Box 5005
Prescott, AZ 86301-5005
Publishers Clearing House:
Call: 1-877-379-3377
Webpage: www.pch.com
Reporting Identity Theft
• Call your local law enforcement agency, AND call the Federal Trade Commission:
1-877-IDTHEFT
(1-877-438-4338)
Or visit: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Write: ID Theft Clearinghouse
FTC 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
• Call one of the three major Credit Bureaus to request a “fraud alert” be placed on your account. They will notify the other two.
• If the Identity Theft involves the use of your Social Security Number call:
Social Security Number
Fraud Hotline
1-800-269-0271
PROTECT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER !!
NEVER Share your personal information with someone YOU don’t know!!
You are eligible for a FREE Credit Report
A change in the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) now requires each of the nationwide consumers reporting companies to provide citizens with a free copy of their credit report, at their request, once every twelve months.
What is a credit report?
A credit report contains information on your residency, list of your creditors and your payment history, and if you have ever been sued, arrested or if you have ever filed for bankruptcy. This information is sold by the consumer reporting companies to creditors, insurers, employers and other businesses for their use in evaluating any applications you complete to apply for credit, insurance, employment or home rental. The three major nationwide consumer reporting companies are: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
• How to order your FREE credit report:
Visit the website: www.annualcreditreport.com
(do not access through pop-ups or email)
Telephone: 1-877-322-8228
Mail: Standardized form must be used.
Download at: www.ftc.gov/credit
Mailing address: Annual Credit Report Request Services
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
DO NOT call the credit bureaus directly for your free annual credit report. You may contact them for your “credit score” or for any report other than your free annual report.
Credit Reporting Bureaus
Equifax
To obtain a credit report:
Call 1-800-685-1111
Or write: P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To report fraud:
Call 1-800-525-6285
AND Write: P.O. Box 740250
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian
To obtain a credit report:
Call 1-888-397-3742
Or write: P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
To Report Fraud
Call 1-888-397-3742
Or Write: P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
Trans Union
To obtain a Credit Report
Call 1-800-916-8800
Or write: P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
To Report Fraud
Call 1-800-680-7289
AND write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634
Michael Mercer Consulting, President
Bird’s Eye Technologies, Co-Founder/CEO
Maine Association of Police Retirees, President
International CPTED Association
Greater Portland Board of Realtors, Education Committee
MREMA Associate Member
michael@michaelmercerconsulting.com
207-699-8840
