Identity theft is the act of impersonating another, by means of using the person's information without permission including but not limited to the following:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Mother's maiden name
• Bank account information
• Credit card information
• Driver's license numbers
• Signature
• Passwords

Identity theft is a serious fraud and criminal activity that causes severe damages to the victim. Thieves often use the victim's personal information to open bank accounts, apply for credit cards, apply for auto/student loans or mortgage, rent apartments, commit crime, etc all in the victim's name without their knowledge. The victim can also be arrested due to frauds done by the impersonator under the victim's name.

• You see unauthorized charges on your credit card or bank accounts.
• You are contacted by a collection agency regarding a debt you did not incur.
• You receive bills from a credit account you did not open.
• You are turned down for a job.
• Bank and credit billing statements don't arrive on time.
• You are turned down for a auto/student loan, mortgage, credit card,or other form of credit due to unauthorized debts on your credit report.
• Your credit report shows accounts you did not authorize.

• Review your credit card statements and bank statements for discrepancies.
• Order and review your credit report from the credit reporting bureaus at least once a year.
• Shred all credit card statements, bank statements, pre-approved credit card offers, and any paper that has your personal information.
• Never leave or throw away credit card receipts in public.
• Do not respond to pre-approved credit card, auto loan or mortgage offers from unknown sources.
• Never give personal information over the phone such as social security number or financial information unless you initiated the phone call.
• Do not carry your SSN card with you; leave it in a secure place.
• Do not post personal information on your personal website or on the internet.
• Change passwords frequently and follow good password practices.

What to do if you think your identity has been stolen

1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus  to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.
2. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit (PDF) when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
3. File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
4. File your complaint with the FTC. 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.

For more in-depth information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems,
read "ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name".

Reporting

• Internet Fraud and Complaint Center
  
  
• FTC Identity Theft complaint Form

Credit Bureau Reporting

• Equifax
  Web: www.equifax.com
  To order your report , call: 800-685-1111 or write:
  P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

For Fraud Alerts , call: 800-525-6285 and write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.

• Experian
  Web: www.experian.com
  To order your report , call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:
  P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013

For Fraud Alerts , call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322

• Trans Union
  Web: www.transunion.com
  To order your report , call: 800- 888 - 4213 or write:
  P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

For Fraud Alerts, call: 800-680-7289 and write:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
TDD: 1-877-553-7803