Identity Theft is booming.  Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other
crimes.  If you think that your identity has been compromised follow the steps below: 

1. Contact all three of the Credit Bureaus to report fraud.  We suggest that you call one of the three credit bureaus first and then follow up with a letter.  Ask the credit bureau to put a fraud Alert on your account. The fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order free copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.

Equifax
Report fraud: 1-800-525-6285
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian
Report fraud: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
Report fraud: 1-800-680-7289
Mailing Address: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634

2. Contact Creditors. Identify and contact creditors of any accounts you feel may have been compromised or opened fraudulently.  Ask for the fraud department.  Most creditors offer this option right up front on their automated phone systems.  Follow up with a letter.

3. File a Report with the Police Department.  File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report or at the very least, the number of the report, to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.  The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

4. Document your actions! Write down dates, times and the names of the people you spoke with.  Keep copies of your letters.  You should also use the attached  ID Theft Affidavit.

How identity thieves get your personal information:

• They get information from businesses or other institutions by:
  • stealing records or information while they're on the job
  • bribing an employee who has access to these records
  • hacking these records
  • conning information out of employees
    
• They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks, and tax information.
  
• They may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public trash dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving."
  
• They may get your credit reports by abusing their employer's authorized access to them, or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who may have a legal right to access your report.
  
• They may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information in a data storage device in a practice known as "skimming." They may swipe your card for an actual purchase, or attach the device to an ATM machine where you may enter or swipe your card.
  
• They may steal your wallet or purse.
  
• They may complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
  
• They may steal personal information they find in your home.
  
• They may steal personal information from you through email or phone by posing as legitimate companies and claiming that you have a problem with your account. This practice is known as "phishing" online, or pretexting by phone.

How identity thieves use your personal information:

• They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem.
  
• They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the credit cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report.
  
• They may establish phone or wireless service in your name.
  
• They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
  
• They may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, and drain your bank account.
  
• They may file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.
  
• They may buy a car by taking out an auto loan in your name.
  
• They may get identification such as a driver's license issued with their picture, in your name.
  
• They may get a job or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
  
• They may give your name to the police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.  >