Identity Theft/Credit Bureau info

Identity Theft Prevention

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.  Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft:

• Monitor your credit by going to www.annualcreditreport.com and requesting a free credit report annually.
• Refrain from providing personal information over the phone or by clicking on a link sent via email (always call a direct number or type the url separately when you need to access accounts). 
• Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, public trash receptacles, or unattended gas pumps. Save them to match against your monthly bills, and then shred them.
• Shred documents you receive in the mail.  This includes bank statements, investment statements and credit card offers.  You can opt out of credit card offers by going to https://www.optoutprescreen.com/.
• Create multiple passwords (do not always use the same one) and change them regularly.  Do not give them to anyone unless necessary and then change it when access is no longer needed by a third party.
• Know your billing cycles and contact your bank or credit card company if a bill does not arrive in a timely manner.
• Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or use your Social Security number as an ID.
• Review your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement annually to check for fraud. If you haven’t received one lately, you can call 1-800-772-1213.
• Minimize the number of identification information and financial cards carried in a wallet and sign all new credit cards upon receipt. Write “Check ID” after your signature as a note to shopkeepers to ask for identification.
• Notify credit card companies and financial institutions in advance of any change of address or telephone number. 

Protect Your Mailbox to Further Safeguard Your Identity

Removing yourself from mailing lists may help minimize the risks associated with identity theft.  This may help prevent identity thieves from rummaging through your trash in order to obtain your personal information.

To remove your name from mailing lists, visit any of the websites listed below, and follow their simple instructions:

• https://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs4-junk.htm
• https://www.dmachoice.org
• https://www.catalogchoice.org

Fraud Contact Information for Credit Bureaus - Experian, Equifax, TransUnion

If you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft or are concerned about the use of your personal information,below is information on how to contact various agencies. Especially important are the credit bureaus.  Asking them to put a fraud alert on your credit file should slow down anyone trying to open more credit in your name.We also suggest filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission so they can better monitor the various schemes and further protect the public.

For more information on how to place a fraud alert, click here.

Credit Bureau Fraud Departments

Equifax	Experian	TransUnion
Consumer Fraud Division Phone: 800-525-6285 or:  404-885-8000 Fax: 770-375-2821 P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241	Experian’s National Consumer Assistance Phone: 888-397-3742 P.O. Box 2104 Allen, TX 75013	Fraud Victim Assistance  Department Phone: 800-680-7289 Fax: 714-447-6034 P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92634-6790

Government Agencies

Federal Trade Commission Phone: 877-438-4338

U.S. Postal Inspection Service  postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

Social Security Administration Phone: 800-772-1213

Checks

To report the fraudulent use of your checks:

Check Rite Phone: 800-766-2748 Chex Systems Phone: 800-328-5121 CrossCheck Phone: 800 552-1900

Equifax- Telecredit Phone: 800-437-5120 SCAN Phone: 800-262-7771 Tele-Check Phone: 800 366-2425