Identity Theft – A New Victim Every Three Seconds
Identity theft is a crime which can affect anyone. It happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. According to the United States Department of Justice, there is a new victim of identity theft every three seconds!
Just last week it was reported the computer servers of Anthem/Blue Cross health insurance were hacked. It is estimated that the personal information of millions of their customer’s personal information may have been accessed.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent identity theft. However, there are some steps you can take to minimize your risk.
Guard Your Social Security Number (SSN)
The only time your SSN should be given out is for tax reasons, credit applications or for verifying employment. When giving out your SSN, know how it will be used and if it will be shared.
Giving Information over the Phone/Internet
Don’t ever give out personal information over the phone, unless you generated the call. The same is true for sharing information over the internet. Never share personal information with solicitors or with unsolicited internet links. When providing information over the internet, ALWAYS look at the top browser bar to insure you are on the correct site and the site is secure. Look for a closed padlock on your browser address bar with the letters “https” in front of the internet page name.
Be aware of “phishing” scams. Phishing is the process of directing you to a fraudulent website, which looks just like the real website, in order to obtain your information. Usually, you will click on link that looks legitimate, but will take you to a fraudulent site. Recently, people have been unknowingly re-directed to a phishing site while doing internet searches. Always look at your browser bar to ensure you are on a legitimate site.
Password Protection
Passwords protect your accounts. Do not use portions of your SSN or your birthdate. A good password should have more than eight characters, contain both upper and lower case letters, at least one number and a non-alphanumeric character. Avoid using common names or words found in a dictionary.
Outgoing Mail
Place outgoing mail in collection boxes or boxes at the post office. Never place outgoing mail in your home mailbox for pick-up.
Be cognizant of your billing cycles – know when you should be expecting which bills. When a bill fails to show up, contact your creditor immediately. Be sure to check bank statements and credit card statements regularly for inaccuracies. Report any discrepancies to your creditors immediately.
Shred Your Information
Use a cross-cut shredder to dispose of documents with your personal information. This includes all mail you receive with your name and address. The same should be done with old credit cards and cancelled or voided checks.
What to Do If You Become a Victim of Identity Theft
Whenever dealing with the authorities or financial institutions, be sure to keep a log of all conversations, including dates, times, names, and phone numbers. Also note the time spent and any expenses you incurred. Confirm your conversations by following up in writing. Send all correspondence by certified mail (return receipt requested). It is important to keep copies of all letters and documents.
Once you discover you are a victim of identity theft you should notify the following:
Credit Bureaus
Immediately contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies; Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Report the theft of your credit cards or numbers. The contact information for these companies is provided at the end of this article.
Ask that your account be flagged or a credit freeze placed on your credit report. Be sure to ask how long the fraud alert is posted on your account, and how you can extend it if necessary. Be aware, these measures may not entirely stop new fraudulent accounts from being opened by the imposter.
The credit bureaus will provide you with a free copy of your credit report once a year to assist you in monitoring fraudulent activity. Ask the credit bureaus for names and phone numbers of credit grantors with whom fraudulent accounts have been opened and for them to remove the inquiries which have been generated due to the fraudulent access.
Creditors
Contact all creditors immediately with whom your name has been used fraudulently, both by phone and in writing. Get replacement cards with new account numbers for your own accounts which have been used fraudulently. Carefully monitor your mail and credit card bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity. Report it immediately to credit grantors.
You may be asked by banks and credit grantors to fill out and notarize a fraud affidavit and provide statements or supporting documentation.
Law Enforcement
Report the crime to the law enforcement agency servicing your area. Give them as much documented evidence as possible. Get a copy of your police report or the report number issued by the agency. Keep the report number of your police report handy and give it to creditors and others who require verification of your case. Credit card companies and banks may require you to show the report to verify the crime.
California police agencies must take identity theft reports from victims who reside in their respective jurisdictions. Investigative jurisdiction will be determined by your law enforcement agency.
Stolen Checks
If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the check verification companies. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks you are unsure about being cleared. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. Password protect your accounts.
ATM Cards
If your ATM card has been stolen or is compromised, get a new card, account number, and password. Do not use your old password. When creating a password, don’t use common numbers like the last four digits of your social security number or your date of birth. Always check the card reader for signs of tampering and never expose your password.
Fraudulent Change of Address
Notify the local Postal Inspector if you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of address with the post office or has used the mail to commit credit or bank fraud. Find out where the fraudulent credit cards were sent. Notify the local Postmaster for the address to forward all mail in your name to your actual address. You may also need to talk to the mail carrier.
Social Security Number Misuse
Call the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent use of your social security number. Also order a copy of your “Earnings and Benefits Statement” and check it for accuracy.
Passports
If you believe your passport has been compromised, notify the US Department of State, passport office.
Phone Service
If you discover fraudulent charges on your bill, contact the provider immediately. Request a password be placed on your account to protect it from being changed.
Driver License Number Misuse
You may need to change your driver’s license number if someone is using yours as identification on bad checks. Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if another license was issued in your name. Put a fraud alert on your license. Go to your local DMV to request a new number. Also, fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process. Send supporting documents with the complaint form to the nearest DMV investigation office.
False Civil and Criminal Judgments
Sometimes victims of identity theft are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the imposter. If a civil or criminal judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken by your imposter, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
In honor of National Consumer Protection Week, the City of Palmdale will be hosting two FREE informational seminars. The first presentation, titled “Identity Theft, Schemes, Scams and Cons”, will be held on Monday, March 2, 2015, at 7:00 P.M., in the Palmdale City Council Chambers, located at 38300 Sierra Highway, Suite B, Palmdale.
The second presentation is titled “Internet Scams and Online Safety”. This presentation will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015, at 7:00 P.M., in the Palmdale City Council Chambers. For more information on either of these presentations, please call the City of Palmdale Neighborhood Services Department at 661-267-5170.
Credit Reporting Bureaus
Equifax
Order a credit report (800) 685-1111
Experian
Order a credit report (888) 397-3742
TransUnion
Consumer Relations (800) 916-8800
Report Fraud (800) 888-4213
Free Credit Report (877) 322-8228
Remember, if you have been the victim of credit fraud [15 USC §1681j(b)] or are denied credit [15 USC §1681j(c)(3)] you are entitled to a free credit report. If you are a victim of fraud, be sure to ask the credit bureaus for free copies. They will often provide them.
Direct Marketing Opt Out
Opt out of pre-approved offers of credit and marketing lists (888) 567-8688
To remove your name from mail and phone lists:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Telephone Preference Service:
PO Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Personal Check Fraud Help
Check Rite (701) 214-4123
CrossCheck (800) 552-1900
Chexsystems (800) 428-9623
Equifax (800) 685-1111
International Check Services (800) 526-5380
SCAN (800) 262-7771
Telecheck (800) 710-9898
Federal Bureau of Investigation
(Los Angeles Office) (310) 477-6565
Federal Trade Commission (877) 438-4338
Social Security Administration
Fraud Investigations (800) 269-0271
Earnings and Benefits Statement (800) 772-1213
Laws (Federal & State)
Federal Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act
Public Law 105-318, 112 Stat. 3007 (Oct. 30, 1998)
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
State of California Unauthorized Use of Personal
Identifying Information 530.5 PC
Internet Information
Federal Trade Commission
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Passports (Lost \ Stolen)
US Department of State
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Written By: Sgt. Andy Nagel
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station
750 East Avenue Q,
Palmdale, Ca. 93550
661-272-2428
Address/Location
LASD - Palmdale Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff
750 E Ave Q
Palmdale, CA 93550
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 661-272-2400