Identity Theft

PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION

Protect your wallet. Consider all of the personal information you carry with you every
day! If you sell or donate your personal computer, be sure to clear all data from your
computer’s hard drive. It’s a good idea to copy the front and back of your credit cards,
and keep them in a safe place. If they are stolen from you, you’ll have all the
information you need to cancel them immediately!

YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE

YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DEBT INCURRED AS A RESULT OF IDENTITY THEFT!

If debt collectors attempt to have you pay the outstanding balance, inform them you are the victim of identify theft. Request their fraud affidavit form, and ask them to
confirm in writing that you do not owe the debt and that the account has been closed!

If someone is using your checking account fraudulently, immediately contact the bank and close the account. Open a new account, and select new passwords. The bank will ask you to complete a fraud affidavit. Request copies of the fraudulent checks.

You should notify these check verification companies that your checks are being
used fraudulently:

Certegy/Equifax : 800-437-5120

CheckRite/Global Payments : 800-766-2748

Telecheck : 800-710-9898

Chexsystems : 800-766-2748

CheckCenter / CrossCheck : 800-843-0760

SCAN : 800-262-7771

International Check Services : 800-526-5380

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM

If you are a victim of identity theft:

Get a notebook and write down who you called, the name of the person you spoke to, the date, details of the call, and next action required.

Any correspondence you are asked to provide should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Contact your local police department, and notify them you’ve been the victim of identity theft. Give them as many details as you currently have available.
They will want copies of documentation you receive from your bank and/or credit card companies. They will assign a case number and an investigator. As you collect additional information, be sure to give the police copies as evidence to add to your case.

Contact your bank and creditors immediately. Ask to speak to someone in the security or fraud department. They may request you to fill out fraud affidavits. The Federal Trade Commission provides a uniform affidavit that most creditors will accept:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/affidavit.pdf

Request copies of the fraudulent transactions.

If your credit cards have been used fraudulently, request replacement cards with new
account numbers. Request the old account be closed and noted as “account closed at
consumer’s request.”

CREDIT BUREAUS

Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus. You can report identify theft to all
three of the major credit bureaus with just one phone call to an automated line. As a
victim of identity theft, you will be sent a free copy of your credit report by each of
the credit bureaus. Each agency will list their toll free number on the credit report if
you need to speak to someone in their fraud department.

Equifax : 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com

Equifax : 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com

Equifax : 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com

When you receive your credit reports, review them carefully. Disputed information that
cannot be verified must be deleted from your file. If your report contains incorrect
information, it must be corrected. It’s a good idea to order another credit report in a
few months, to verify no unusual activity has taken place.

STOLEN MAIL

If an identify thief has stolen your mail, or fraudulently completed a change of address form, notify your local postal inspector. This is a crime! You can find the phone number for the postal inspector in your phone book, listed under Post Office in the Government Section. You may also obtain the phone number by calling 800-275-8777. The Postal Inspection Service’s website is:

www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect/

NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!!

NEVER EVER GIVE IN!!!

This is a time consuming, often frustrating process. DO NOT pay any bills that are the result of fraud. DO NOT cover fraudulent checks. DO NOT allow anyone to intimidate or coerce you into paying fraudulent bills. Your credit rating should not be permanently affected, and no legal action should be taken against you.