Identity theft is a growing problem and occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. This is a serious crime. It can take a person months or years to straighten out their financial records after thieves have stolen their identity.
If you think your identity has been stolen, here's what you should do:
- Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
- Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
- File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors.
- File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations.
For more in-depth information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems check the FTC website.
For additional information on identity theft and other consumer related issues, visit the Iowa Attorney General's website.
How to contact the three major credit bureaus:
Equifax
To learn more about Equifax, please visit their website.
To order your report
Call: 800-685-1111
Write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To report fraud
Call: 800-525-6285
Write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.
Experian
To learn more about Experian, please visit their website.
To order your report
Call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Write: P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013
To report fraud
Call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Write: P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322
Trans Union
To learn more about Trans Union, please visit their website.
To order your report
Call: 800-888-4213
Write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
To report fraud
Call: 800-680-7289
Write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
TDD: 1-877-553-7803
Preventing Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises consumers to be vigilant in assuring that no one else is using your Social Security number by regularly reviewing all credit cards and banking statements for activities that they did not generate. Annually obtaining a credit report is an excellent way to ensure that new charge accounts or major purchases have not been issued without their knowledge.
Consumers should not provide information, like their Social Security number to anyone when they are uncertain about how it will be used. The Social Security Administration (SSA) suggests all consumers "treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily." Everyone can protect themselves by always asking why the number is needed and how it will be used.