Identity Theft Assistance: Information for Recovering Your Good Name

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1 Identity Theft Assistance: Information for Recovering Your Good Name I Could Be A Victim of Identity Theft! What Do I Do Next? We understand that you may have been a victim of identity theft. Enclosed please find information on how to determine if you have become a victim. In addition, should you determine that your identity has been compromised; we have included recommended steps you may want to take to start the process of restoring your good name. For your convenience, we have included sample letters and forms you can use as guides for contacting various agencies regarding the identity fraud. How Can I Tell if I am a Victim of Identity Theft? Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Other indications of identity theft can be: Failing to receive bills or mail when expected could mean an address change by the identity thief; Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply; Denial of credit for no apparent reason; or Receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you didn't buy. Order a copy of your credit report from any of the three major credit bureaus. If at this time you feel you may be a victim, you should initiate a fraud alert. Once you receive your report, review it for accuracy. If you find inaccurate information, check your reports from the other two credit bureaus. Of course some inaccuracies could be because of clerical, computer, or other errors and may not be a result of identity theft. It may take 7-10 business days to receive your reports. If you believe you are a victim, understand that it may take some time and effort to recover your name, but by following the recommended steps below, we are confident that you are on the right path to recovering your identity. Recommended Steps 1. Contact the Police 2. Contact the Three Major Credit Bureaus 3. Close the Accounts You Know or Suspect Involve Identity Fraud 4. Contact the Government Authorities 5. Keep A Record of Your Actions and Contacts 1. Contact the Police By contacting the police they can start investigating the crime. You will also want to obtain a copy of the police report, the police report number and the name of the investigator. Many banks, credit card companies and other agencies you will need to contact may require this information as proof of a crime. When filing a police report, provide as much documentation as you can to prove you have been a victim of identity theft. Documentation including collection letters, credit reports, an Identity Theft Affidavit can help the police create a thorough report. If the identity fraud occurred while you were away from home, you may also need to file a report in the jurisdiction where the fraud actually occurred. Be persistent if needed. You may be told they cannot take a report. Be sure to let the police know that you need a report to provide to other agencies to resolve the identity dispute. If your local police will not file a report, contact the county and state police. You may also ask that they file a Miscellaneous Incident Report instead.

2 2. Contact the Three Major Credit Bureaus Contact each of the three major credit bureaus to notify them you have been a victim of identity theft and request that your file be flagged with a Fraud Alert. Fraud Alerts expire, so you will want to ask how long the Fraud Alert will be in effect and how you can extend it if needed. You may also want to file a Victim Statement with the bureaus asking them to notify you before any new accounts are opened or any existing accounts are changed in your name. This may identify if the perpetrator attempts to open additional accounts in your name. Request copies of your credit report from each bureau to review. If information contained within your report is inaccurate, you may dispute it and request it be changed. Request your credit report again in a few months. This will help you confirm if your requested changes have been made and may identify if your report has since changed without your knowledge. This may also identify additional identity theft occurring against you. Equifax: Order Credit Report: Report Fraud: Experian : Order Credit Report: Report Fraud: TransUnion SM : Order Credit Report: Report Fraud: Tips for How to Read Your Credit Report Check to make sure you recognize all accounts listed in your report and that the balances are in line with your records. Check the section listing the persons and entities that have requested or received a copy of your report. If you do not recognize a person or entity, you may want to further inquire. Make sure there were no inquiries to your credit report for loans or accounts you did not apply for. If there are accounts you do not recognize, this may be a sign that an identity perpetrator has fraudulently opened an account in your name. Check the address section to confirm there are no addresses listed for places you have never lived. If there are addresses you do not recognize, this may be a sign that an identity perpetrator has redirected your mail. Make sure your Social Security number is listed correctly. Make sure the employment history lists accurate information. Make sure the information is consistent across the 3 credit bureaus. If you identify any incorrect or suspect information, contact the credit bureau immediately. If the incorrect or suspect information is linked to a particular creditor, you will want to contact that creditor as well. 3. Close the Accounts That You Know or Suspect Involve Identity Fraud CHECKS: If your checks have been stolen or you suspect they have been misused, contact your financial institution for stop payments. Familiarize yourself with your state s law concerning stolen and forged checks. You can contact your State Attorney General s office or local consumer protection agency to find out about any laws in your state related to identity fraud. Most states hold the financial institution responsible for losses related to a forged check. However, it may be your responsibility to have notified the financial institution of the possible forgery in a timely manner. You may also want to contact the major check verification companies directly. These companies can alert retailers who use their databases not to accept your checks. They are: TeleCheck: Certegy, Inc.: You can also find out if the perpetrator has been passing bad checks on your account by calling SCAN at

3 CREDIT ACCOUNTS AND ATM CARDS: Close your current credit accounts and cancel your ATM cards. Ask the financial institution or agency to send you a fraud dispute form to complete. If they do not have one, you may use the attached sample letter as a guide. When reopening new accounts, be sure to use new PINs to reduce the risk of future identity theft. If your financial institution is not assisting you with resolving your issues with them related to the identity theft, you may contact the agency with the appropriate jurisdiction over your financial institution. If you are not sure what agency has jurisdiction over your particular financial institution, you can find out by visiting If you suspect your investment or brokerage accounts have been altered without your permission, report it to the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can file a report using their online Complaint Center at Keep in mind that each creditor may have their own processes in place for handling a case of identity theft. Therefore, be sure to specifically ask each creditor what their process is, what is expected of you, and what you can expect from them. 4. Contact the Government Authorities Federal Trade Commission Counselors at the FTC can take your complaint and provide additional helpful advice on how to proceed once you have been a victim of identity theft. Their website is full of tips and also provides information on how to find out what laws have been passed in your state pertaining to identity theft. Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C IDTHEFT ( ) TDD: Social Security Administration The SSA Office of the Inspector General investigates allegations of identity theft. If you know or suspect your SSN may be involved in the identity theft against you, you may want to contact the SSA to notify them, and to request a copy of your Social Security Statement. SSA Fraud Hotline P.O. Box Baltimore MD oig.hotline@ssa.gov U.S. Postal Inspection Service The USPIS is the law enforcement entity of the U.S. Postal Service and is the entity that investigates identity theft - specifically if the identity theft involves stolen mail or other violations of the integrity of our mail service. U.S. Postal Inspection Service 475 L Enfant Plaza SW Washington DC , dial 3

4 5. Keep A Record of Your Actions and Contacts Keep a file of documents related to the identity theft. You will want to include documents such as disputed bills, credit reports, police report, etc. Maintain a record of your telephone conversations with the persons and agencies you contact for assistance. Be sure to record the date and time of the call, the name and title of the person you spoke with, and the things you discussed. Follow-up all telephone conversations in writing and send these letters certified with return receipt requested. Maintain a copy of this written correspondence for your file. Maintain copies of any written correspondence you exchange related to the identity fraud. Keep original documents for your file; only mail copies. Other Resources Identity Theft Resource Center P.O. Box San Diego CA Privacy Rights Clearinghouse P.O. Box San Diego CA

5 Steps Toward Preventing Future Identity Theft Be Aware. Monitor your financial statements regularly. Obtain your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus once every 6-12 months. Review these reports for any inaccurate information, or any transactions that you were not aware of or did not authorize. Secure your personal information at home. Consider keeping your sensitive, personal information in a safe or other location accessible only by you. Ask about security measures in your workplace. Find out who can obtain your personal information through work, how your information is secured, and how they discard personal records. Avoid giving out personal information over the phone. Especially when the telephone call is initiated by another party. Identity thieves may pose as a representative of a legitimate organization with whom you do business and may contact you to verify your information. Be suspicious of providing personal information online. Identity thieves use a practice called phishing where they send s that claim to be from a legitimate source such as a bank, government entity or your ISP and ask you to update your account or personal information. Verify unsolicited by calling the financial institution or government agency directly, or through a new Internet session. Carry only the information you need. Only take with you the credit cards you need, and avoid carrying your Social Security card. Regularly review your recent Card account activity. Accessing your account online is a great way to stay up-to-date on recent charges. To learn more about managing your American Express Card account online, visit Also, American Express can notify you immediately of irregular account activity if you sign up to receive Alerts. For more information on Alerts, visit Shred documents containing your personal information before disposing. Identity thieves have been known to dumpster dive to obtain documents with personal information that have been discarded. You may obtain a paper shredder at any local office supply company. Have the Postal Service hold your mail if you are going to be gone for a few days or more. Since identity thieves have also been known to obtain personal information by collecting individual s mail before they return home, it is a good idea to collect your mail as soon as possible and to have the Postal Service hold your mail at the post office if you are planning on being away for any period of time. Another way to prevent account information from being stolen in the mail or from the trash is to reduce the amount of paper with account references. You can find out more about alternate delivery options for your statement information at Remember: Act fast! Any protections you have are stronger if you act quickly to try to correct potential identity theft.

6 SAMPLE DISPUTE LETTER FOR CREDIT ACCOUNTS This letter can be submitted to creditors to dispute your accounts that you believe involve identity fraud. Date Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Name of Creditor Billing Inquiries Address City, State, Zip Code RE: Dispute of fraudulent transaction(s) on Account Number Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing to notify you that I have been a victim of identity fraud. As a result of this identity fraud, there is a transaction on my account in the amount of $ which I did not authorize and which I would like to dispute. I am requesting that the (charge be removed or the debit reinstated) and that finance or related charges associated with this fraudulent transaction be credited as well. Upon making this correction, please send me an accurate, corrected statement. Enclosed are copies of (police report, identity affidavit, and/or other documentation you submit to support the identity fraud) supporting my position that I have been a victim of identity fraud. Please investigate this matter and correct the fraudulent transaction as soon as possible. Your cooperation and prompt attention to this matter are appreciated. Sincerely, Your name Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing remember to send copies of always keep the originals for your file.)

7 SAMPLE DISPUTE LETTER FOR CREDIT BUREAUS This letter can be submitted to credit bureaus to dispute information you have found within their file for you that you believe involves to identity fraud. Date Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Your Account Number Complaint Department Name of Credit Bureau Address City, State, Zip Code RE: Dispute of credit report related to identity fraud Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing to notify you that I have been a victim of identity fraud. There is inaccurate information on my credit report that relates to this identity fraud that I would like to dispute. The items I am disputing are highlighted on the enclosed credit report that I received from your organization. (Proceed to then identify the disputed items by name of the source (such as by creditor) and identify the type of item involved in the dispute (such as credit account, judgment, etc.) As I have been a victim of identity fraud, I am requesting that these items be blocked to correct my credit report. Enclosed are copies of (police report, identity affidavit, and/or other documentation you submit to support the identity fraud) supporting my position. Please investigate this (these) matter(s) and correct my credit report as soon as possible. (You may also include the following if you wish to have a victim statement and/or fraud alert attached to your file.) Please flag my file with a fraud alert. I want all potential creditors to contact me at (give your contact information) to verify all future applications. Sincerely, Your name Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing remember to send copies of documents always keep the originals for your file.)

8 SAMPLE FRAUDULENT ACCOUNT STATEMENT The below is a sample account statement that can be submitted to companies/creditors where new accounts have been opened in your name without your consent to notify them of your identity theft. When sending this, you will want to also include an Identity Theft Affidavit, such as the sample provided in this kit. Be sure to send a separate Fraudulent Account Statement to each company/creditor addressing only the accounts you have with that company/creditor. When enclosing supporting documents, such as collection letter, police report, with this statement, be sure to send copies and keep the originals for your file. I declare that as a result of the event(s) described in the attached Identity Theft Affidavit, the following account(s) I have with your organization was/were opened in my name without my knowledge, authorization or consent using my personal information or identification documents. Creditor Name/Address (the company that opened the account and/or provided the goods or services that you did not authorize Example: Your National Bank 123 Main St City, State, Zip Account Number Type of unauthorized credit, goods, services provided by creditor Date fraudulent account issued or opened Amount/Value provided (the amount charged or the cost of the goods/services) Auto loan 01/01/11 $20, During the time of the fraudulent activity described above, I had the following legitimate account(s) open with your company: Billing name: Billing address: Account number:

9 SAMPLE IDENTITY FRAUD ACTIVITY LOG The below is a sample of how you may want to document the steps you take in attempting to resolve the identity fraud. AGENCY/DEPT. PHONE NUMBER LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES DATE CONTACTED REPORT NUMBER & INVESTIGATOR NAME COMMENTS CREDIT BUREAUS BUREAU PHONE NUMBER DATE CONTACTED CONTACT PERSON COMMENTS Equifax Experian TransUnion BANKS, CREDIT CARD COMPANIES AND OTHER CREDITORS (Remember, contacting your creditors as early is possible will protect your legal rights) CREDITOR ADDRESS AND PHONE NO. DATE CONTACTED CONTACT PERSON COMMENTS Notes:

10 SAMPLE IDENTITY THEFT AFFIDAVIT This affidavit may be submitted to the police, creditors, credit bureaus and other persons or entities with whom you are disputing issues related to identity fraud. This affidavit may help you to support your position. This affidavit is not to be submitted to any government agency. Victim Information 1. My full legal name is: First Middle Last Jr., Sr., etc. 2. (If different than above) When the events described in this affidavit took place, I was known as: First Middle Last Jr., Sr., etc. 3. My date of birth is: (dd/mm/yy) 4. My Social Security number is: 5. My driver s license or identification card number is: The state my licenses or identification card is issued in is: 6. My current address is: 7. I have lived at the above-given address since (mm/yy) 8. (If different than above) When the events described in this affidavit took place, my address was: 9. I lived at the address given in Item 8 from (mm/yy) through (mm/yy) 10. I can be reached by phone at the following numbers: ( ) - Daytime ( ) - Evening ( ) - Cell (other) Place a checkmark ( ) in front of each of the items that are applicable: 11. I did not authorize anyone to use my name or personal information to seek the money, credit, loans, goods or services described in this report. 12. I did not receive any benefit, money, goods or services as a result of the events described in this report. 13. My identification documents (i.e. credit cards, birth certificate, driver s license, Social Security card, etc.) were (mark one) stolen lost on or about. (dd/mm/yy) 14. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the following person(s) used my personal information or identification documents to obtain money, credit, loans, goods or services without my knowledge, authorization or involvement: Name (if known) Address (if known) Phone number(s) (if known) Additional information (if known) Name (if known) Address (if known) Phone numbers(s) (if known) Additional information (if known) 15. I do not know who used my information or identification documents for the purposes mentioned in item (check one) I am am not willing to assist in the prosecution of the person(s) and/or entities involved in the identity fraud committed against me.

11 17. (check one) I am am not authorizing the release of this information to law enforcement for the purpose of assisting their investigation and prosecution of the offenders. 18. (check one) I have have not reported the identity fraud described in this affidavit to the police or other law enforcement agency. The report information is: Agency (which police dept or agency) Name of Investigator (or person who took report) Date of report Report number Phone number 19. Additional Comments: (Use this section to describe the fraud, which documents were used, how your identity information was obtained, how you learned of the identity fraud, etc.) 20. Documentation Enclosed: I have enclosed the following documents (i.e. police report, proof of residency at the time the fraud was committed, valid photo-identification card, etc.) in support of my position: I declare under penalty of perjury that the information I have provided in this affidavit is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that knowingly submitting false information on this form could subject me to criminal prosecution for perjury. Signature Date signed Notary Date notarized Witness signature (non-relative) Date signed Witness name printed Phone number (Please check with each creditor you plan on submitting an identity affidavit to. Some require notarization, some require witness signature.)