So you think that it will never happen to you? Most of the time, it will be someone you know that will steal your identity and rip you off. It could be your wife, your husband, your children, even your grandchildren. Maybe your brother or your sister might need a few dollars. Your mother, who borrowed secretly from the church may need money from your credit card to make things right with God! It could be your best friend who has a drug or drinking problem. It could be the gambler, next to you at work. He just needs another turn at the cards and he will make it big. It does not have to be someone who you don't know. It could be the person looking at your right now.About 5 years ago, I was sitting in my cube fixing a computer program for my employer’s client when I overheard the programmer next to me talking on the phone. He started receiving Visa Bills and other charges that did not belong to him. He found out that his neighbor intercepted his mail about 2 months ago and took over his credit card accounts and opened several more. He did not know what to do.
After over hearing his conversation on the phone, I went over to him and offered my assistance. The first thing I had him do was to call the police and report the crime. Then I had him call the 3 credit Bureaus and report the situation to them.
Credit Bureaus
Equifax
1-800-685-1111 or http://www.equifax.com/
Experian
1-888-397-3742 or http://www.experian.com/
TransUnion
1-800-916-8800 or http://www.transunion.com/
You should get a free copy of your Credit Report every year. This way you can check your three reports to see if anyone is using your credit. Another thing that you can do is check to make sure that your credit report is correct. One year, I found that five (5) Darnell Williams’s charges were on my credit report. One of them busted up a bar and owed over $20,000 in damages.
FREE Annual Credit Report Request Service
1-877-322-8228 or www.annualcreditreport.com
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Then I had him read about the other steps he could take in his situation. The Federal Trade Commission and the Pa. Commission have some good information on their website.
Federal Trade Commission
1-877-ID-THEFT or www.ftc.gov/idtheft
FTC comments on credit monitoring services
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
www.identitytheftactionplan.com/actionplan.pdf
Some criminals will assume your identity by using your social security number. This is one step that they take in opening accounts in your name.
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213 or http://www.ssa.gov/
They can take over your Identity by applying for a driver’s license in your name. Here is the driver’s license site for people living in Pennsylvania.
PennDOT
1-800-932-4600 or http://www.dot.state.pa.us/
It might be a good idea to stop pre-approved credit offers. This is what criminals like to get their hands on. They can take your mail, spend your credit and do it all before you get home from work.
Opt Out (stop pre-approved credit offers)
1-888-5opt-out (888-567-8688) or www.OptOutPreScreen.com
Deaf and hard of hearing consumers can call 7–1–1 and refer the
Relay Operator to 1–800–821–9631.
Here are some other websites that might help you with telemarketers, cutting down on getting mail, and help with your finances.
National Do Not Call Registry (stop telemarketers)
http://www.donotcall.gov/
Direct Marketing Association (cut down on catalogues)
www.the-dma.org/index.php
Credit Freeze Information
www.attorneygeneral.gov/consumers.aspx?id=2085
www.consumersunion.org/pdf/security/securityPA.pdf
Pennsylvania Office of Financial Education
http://www.moneysbestfriend.com/
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