What is "identity theft"?
Identity theft is the misappropriation of another person's
identity for criminal purposes and can include the misappropriation of another's
name, social security number, date of birth, driver's license, unique biometric
data such as fingerprints, or unique electronic identification numbers such as an
access code or personal identification number (PIN).
What should I do if I suspect misuse of my personal information?
Take action immediately and keep a record of all conversations
and correspondence when you take the following suggested steps.
- Contact your financial institutions and credit card
issuers immediately. Access to your accounts
can be protected; stop payments may be issued on missing checks; personal identification
numbers (PINs) and online banking passwords changed; and a new account may be opened,
with new checks, if appropriate. ATM and debit cards can also be deactivated.
- Contact the major check verification companies.
Call Telecheck, Equifax or International Check Services
to request they notify retailers using their databases not to accept these stolen
checks, or ask your bank to notify the check verification service with which it
does business. (See below for the phone numbers.)
- File a police report.
Obtain a police report number from your local police department with the date, time,
location, and police officer taking the report. This report will be helpful when
clarifying to creditors that you are a victim of identity theft.
- Request a copy of your credit report.
Residents of Massachusetts may obtain a complimentary copy of
their credit reports annually. Credit bureaus must also provide a free copy of your
report if it is inaccurate because of fraud. Review your reports to be sure additional
fraudulent accounts have not been opened in your name, or unauthorized changes made
to your existing accounts. Notify any creditor in writing of fraudulent accounts.
(The Fair Credit Billing Act requires written communication to resolve errors on
credit billing statements, including charges that you have not made.) Send your
letter by certified mail, and request a return receipt to document what the credit
bureau received and when. Request a "fraud alert" for your file and a victim's statement
asking creditors to call you before opening new accounts or changing your existing
ones. In a few months, order new copies of your report to verify your corrections
and changes. (See below for the phone numbers.)
- Check your mailbox.
If a thief has stolen your mail they may have obtained credit cards, bank and credit
card statements, pre-screened credit offers or tax information. Make sure no one
has requested an unauthorized address change, title change, PIN change, or ordered
new cards or checks to be sent to another address. If you suspect anyone has stolen
your mail contact your local post office and police department immediately.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer
Response Center to report identity theft (See
below for phone number and web site address.)
- Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
if you suspect your name or social security number is
being used by a thief to get a driver's license. Consider asking the DMV to replace
your SSN with a special driver's license number.
- Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Allegations that a SSN has been stolen or misused
should be reported to the SSA Fraud Hotline. (See back panel for phone number and
web site addresses.)
- Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
The USPIS is one of the federal law enforcement
agencies investigating cases of identity theft. Call your local post office to locate
the USPIS district office nearest you or visit their web site. (See below for web
site address.)
- Contact your State Attorney General's office.
Many states and local governments have passed laws related
to identity theft; Massachusetts has such laws. For a list of State Attorney General
offices visit http://www.naag.org.
- If you have any further questions or concerns regarding the
protection of your financial identity please don't hesitate to call Leader Bank.
Major Check Verification Companies:
Telecheck - (800) 710-9898
Equifax - (800) 437-5120
International Check Services - (800) 631-9656
Contact the credit bureaus below for a copy of your Credit
Report:
Equifax:
(800) 525-6285 - to report fraud
(800) 685-1111 - to order credit report
Experian:
(888) 397-3742 - to report fraud
(800) 685-1111 - to order credit report
Trans Union:
(800) 680-7289 - to report fraud
(800) 916-8800 - to order credit report
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Response Center:
By telephone
DD: (202) 326-2502
(800) 685-1111 - to order credit report
By mail
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20580
Online
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Social Security Administration (SSA):
By telephone
(800) 269-0271
By fax
(410) 597-0018
By mail
SSA Fraud Hotline
PO Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235
By e-mail
Online
http://www.ssa.gov/
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS):
http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/
State Attorney General's office:
In Massachusetts, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Complaint
Information Section at: (617) 727-8400.