Identity Theft

The following information was gathered from The Federal Trade Commission website on January 1, 2006.

Identity theft is a serious crime. How does it happen?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. While you can't entirely control whether you will become a victim, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk.

If You Think Your Identity Has Been Stolen, Here's What to Do:

  1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report. For more information, view Consumer Information webpage.The fraud alert tells creditors to contact you  before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing  accounts. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place  an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two,  which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. Once  you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order free  copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last four  digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit  reports.
  2. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the Identity Theft Report when disputing new unauthorized accounts. To learn more, view Consumer Information webpage
  3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get  a copy of the report or at the very least, the number of the report, to  submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the  crime.
  4. File your complaint with the FTC by visiting FTC Complaing Assistant. 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 Information

At Our Police Department:

  • Pick up an identity theft packet, "ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name"
  • Pick up a US Postal Inspection Service brochure, "Safe Guard Your Personal Information"