Causes of Identity Theft

Some common causes of identity theft include:

• Loss of personal items (i.e. wallets) that contain credit cards or identifying documents.
• Discarding of key personal or financial records that are found and used to steal your identity.
• Loss of laptops or other portable devices that contain personal and/or financial information.
• Use of a laptop or portable device on an unsecured wireless network (such as those commonly found at airports, cafes, and hotel lobbies).
• If a third party stores your personal information and the data is breached.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Below are steps you can take to help protect against identity theft. Please keep in mind that even with these steps, people may still become victims of identity theft through no fault of their own.

• Never carry your social security card in your wallet.
• Regularly review your financial statements for unauthorized transactions.
• Always shred sensitive documents.
• Do not keep your personal information on PCs (especially bank account or tax information, passwords or social security numbers).

Determine if you are a Victim of Identity Theft

The best method to determine if you are a victim of identity theft is to examine your credit report.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to provide you with a free copy of your credit report every year.

You may order a report from each of the three companies at the same time or space them out, requesting one every four months. Do not contact the companies directly. Only use Annual Credit Report, as this web site is the only one authorized to fill orders for free reports. Make certain you are actually on this site and use care when entering the web address.

When you get your report, you should read it carefully. If you find errors, report them to the company in writing and if you find evidence of fraud, refer to the material that follows.

Dealing with Identity Theft

If you are a victim of identity theft, there are several things you can do.

• Contact the credit card company or bank immediately to report any suspicious activities on your credit card or financial statements.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports in the event that you are denied credit or contacted about an outstanding loan that you did not make. The fraud alert will prevent thieves from opening any more accounts in your name. To place an alert, contact any one of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The company you notify will notify the other two companies on your behalf.

  You will receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the three companies. Review each one carefully.

• Close any accounts that were opened in your name without your permission or which have been improperly accessed. Speak to someone in the security or fraud unit of each institution where there is suspicious activity. Follow up in writing and be sure to send all correspondence via certified mail.
• Keep copies of all documents related to the theft. If there are charges on the account, dispute them. Keep copies of all correspondence as well as all notes relating to who you spoke to and when.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by completing the online form, calling the FTC Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580.
• File a complaint with the police in person. Bring a copy of the FTC ID Theft Complaint form and copies of all other supporting documentation.
• Periodically obtain and review your credit reports to ensure all suspicious activity has been stopped.