WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America today. Identity theft requires only a few pieces of valid personal information. With them, thieves can apply for and receive credit cards or debit cards in your name. Your credit can be quickly damaged and your efforts to correct these problems can become a nightmare.

The acquisition of key pieces of identity, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother's maiden name, enable the impersonation to occur. This information allows the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for credit cards, loans and social security benefits, renting apartments and establishing accounts with utility and telephone service providers.

Web sites sell the personal information from your credit report. Presently, there is no way of preventing this from happening.

The identity thief has many ways to gain access to your information. It can be obtained from uncollected mail sitting in your mailbox, personal information carelessly thrown in the garbage, dishonest retail or restaurant employees or by the theft of your wallet or pocketbook.

How do the thieves assume your identity? They may rent a mailbox, usually at a package shipping center. Then, they fill out a change of address card on your account using the address from the center and the mailbox number. They begin running up charges on your accounts. The bills then go to the new address and you may not find out about it for a few billing cycles, if at all.

The thieves aren't going to pay the bills or they may just pay the minimum to keep the credit card company, "happy", prolonging the time it takes for you to find out about the problem. When they stop paying the bill all together or write bad checks, the delinquent accounts appear on your credit report.

How to Prevent Becoming a Victim

· Shred all bills, credit card charge receipts, credit applications, insurance forms, bank statements, expired charge cards, and pre-approved credit offers before throwing them in the garbage.

· Do not provide personal information simply because someone asks for it or because it is asked for on a form, questionnaire or product registration card.

· Do not give out your social security number feely.

· Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If going on vacation make arrangements for someone to take the mail for you or call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 and request a "vacation hold" for your mail.

· Place outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office.

· Never give personal information over the telephone, such as your social security number, date of birth, mother's maiden name, credit card number or bank PIN number, unless you initiated the call. Make sure you release this information only when necessary.

· Don't carry extra credit cards in your wallet or pocketbook. Cancel the ones you no longer use.

· Order credit bureau credit reports once a year to check for fraudulent activity or other discrepancies.

· Sign all new credit cards upon receiving them in the mail.

· Save all credit card receipts and match them against your monthly bill.

· Never leave receipts at an ATM, store counter, self-serve gas pump or in trash cans. Keep track of all paperwork and destroy those you no longer need.

· Memorize your social security number and passwords. Never write them down and carry them in your wallet or pocketbook.

· Never store your passwords in a PDA or computer that is not password protected and remember your computer can be accessed without a password.

· Keep track of when routine financial statements should arrive in the mail. Contact the issuing bank or company, if one doesn't arrive. Review statements to verify all charges.

· Never loan anyone your credit cards.

· Alert all banks to flag your accounts and to contact you for unusual activity. Change all passwords and PIN numbers.

· Document all contacts and keep copies of all correspondences.

· Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

· Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to have a new license number issued in your name.

· Call the nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Office.

· Call the Federal Trade Commission's identity theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338 and file a complaint.

· If you are the victim of identity theft, call each credit bureau with a national database and ask

to have a "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact" statement place in your credit files. Also request that all creditors contact you before they open any new accounts in your name. The following contact information is provided to assist identity theft victims.

1. Equifax - www.equifax.com 1-800-685-1111

2. Experian - www.experian.com 1-888-397-3742

3. Trans-Union - www.tuc.com 1-800-916-8800

· If you are a victim of check fraud, you should contact the following:

1. Telecheck 1-800-710-9898

2. Equifax 1-800-437-5120

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