Identity
Theft Resources
Identity
theft occurs when someone uses your own personal information
such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number
or other identifying information, (without your permission)
to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity
theft is a serious crime.
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JUST ADDED for this year - Credit Report Section! We've had numerous requests for more information on Credit Reports . So we've added it for you!
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People
whose identities have been stolen can spend months or
years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning
up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit
record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities,
be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even get
arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
If
you think your identity has been stolen, here's what
to do now:
-
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.
-
Close
the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered
with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit
when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
-
File
a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit
to your creditors and others that may require proof
of the crime.
-
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.
- Visit
our Identity Theft resource section by clicking on
"site map" at the top.
Identity Theft In the News:
Paper trail leads to federal charges involving identity theft (The Kansas City Star)
A winding paper trail of false names, addresses, Social Security numbers, credit cards and bank accounts led authorities to three people who now face charges relating to identity theft.
ID Theft Monitoring Services: What You Need To Know (TechWeb via Yahoo! News)
InformationWeek - Fee-based services say they'll protect your identity, privacy, credit, name, and more. Find out what they can and can not do -- and learn what you can do to defend yourself.
Identity Theft Assistance Center Expands Offerings to ID Theft Prevention with Launch of ITAC Sentinel(TM) (Centre Daily Times)
ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center, today introduced ITAC Sentinel(TM) (www.itacsentinel.com), the only identity protection service with ITAC victim assistance built in.
Prisoners' ID Theft Scheme Grabs Lawmaker's Attention (WLTX-TV Columbia)
A credit card scheme linked to Lee Correctional Facility stretches all the way to California and back. While authorities in Dyer, Indiana investigate one case, SC lawmakers are expressing their concerns. VIDEO
Fishing for phishers (The Star)
CITIBANK has implemented multilayer security levels to control phishers — identity thieves who steal personal information and use it to commit fraud — as a means to further beef up security at its online banking service.
Two identity theft cases investigated (The Harrisburg Daily Register)
CARRIER MILLS - Saline County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating two cases of identity theft reported this month.
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