AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is a growing problem. Many people across the country have become victims of this crime. Here are a few basic steps you should follow to avoid being a victim of identity theft:

• Don't give out personal information. Never reveal your account numbers, personal account information or social security numbers over the telephone, via mail or over the internet, unless you initiated the contact or know who you are dealing with.
• Store your personal information in a safe place. Tear up old credit card and ATM receipts, old account statements and unused credit card offers before you discard them.
• Protect your PIN numbers and other passwords. Avoid using information that can be easily obtained. (Such as your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your social security number or your phone number). Don't leave your receipts behind or throw them in the trash where thieves can easily retrieve them.
• Carry only identifying information you routinely use. Keep your driver's license, credit card and related items close at hand.
• Watch your account information and billing statements. Know your billing cycles and review monthly billing statements carefully. Make sure that all charges, drafts or withdrawals were authorized.
• Guard your name against theft. Remove incoming mail promptly, and deposit all outgoing mail at post office collection boxes. Don't leave outgoing mail in your mailbox.
• Review copies of your credit report. Order copies of your credit report yearly from each of the three major credit bureaus to ensure that they are reporting accurate information.
  
  

  To Order A Credit Report, Contact:

  • Equifax: 800-685-1111 Experian: 888-397-3742 Trans Union: 800-888-4213

  If you become a victim of identity theft, do the following:

  • File a police report.
  • Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus to report the identity theft and request that the bureaus place a fraud alert status in your file.
  • File a report with the Attorney General for your state.

    State of Nebraska - Attorney General's Office
    402-471-3891
    800-727-6432 (NE only)

    State of South Dakota - Attorney General's Office
    605-773-4400
    800-300-1986 (SD only)

    State of Wyoming - Attorney General's Office
    307-777-7874
    800-438-5799 (WY only)

  To Report Fraud, Contact:

  • Equifax: 800-525-6285 Experian: 888-397-3742 Trans Union: 800-680-7289
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission's toll-free Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT. The FTC will take a report and place your name in a nationwide consumer fraud database shared by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
  • Finally, contact your creditors and inform them of your being a victim of identity theft. Close your accounts, change all account passwords, and obtain new credit, debit and ATM cards.

Beginning in December 2004, consumers can get a free copy of their credit report annually. Free annual credit reports will be rolled out starting on the West Coast December 1, 2004, and ending in September 2005 on the East Coast. To order your free reports when they become available in your state, go to www.annualcreditreport.com where you can order your reports directly. You can also call (877) 322-8228. For more information, see the Federal Trade Commission's Facts for Consumers at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm.

More helpful information and links can be found at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Printable step-by-step list to follow if you have become a victim of Identity Theft. Identity Theft List .