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IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft has become a major concern to law enforcement throughout the United States. It is the fastest growing crime and affects more than 500,000 new victims each year. Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know.
Identity theft, or identity fraud, is the taking of a victim’s identity to obtain credit cards from banks and retailers, steal money from a victim’s existing account(s), apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy, or obtain a job. Thousands of dollars can be stolen by these methods without the victim becoming aware of the problem for months or even years.
Tips for Self Protection
Never give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you are the one that initiated the contact and are aware of the party that you are dealing with. Be cautious of those posing as bank representatives, credit card company personnel, and even governmental officials that are seeking this personal information from you. It never hurts to get their number to verify validity and call them back.
Obtain and use a paper shredder
Never carry your social security card, passport, birth certificate, or other identifying papers unless it is absolutely necessary. Also, limit the amount of credit cards that you possess at any given time.
Order your credit report at least twice a year. Reports should be obtained from all three major sources. These are:
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Equifax at (800) 685-1111,
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Experian at (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742), and
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TransUnion at (800) 680-7293
To have your name taken off of direct mail lists, write to he Direct Marketing Association, Mail preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735.
If you are a victim of identity theft:
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where the items were stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important; call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
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