Monthly Archives March 2008

While dealing with problems resulting from identity theft can be time-consuming and frustrating, most victims can resolve their cases by being assertive, organized, and knowledgeable about their legal rights.  These tools are designed to assist you in resolving disputes related to identity theft and in asserting your legal rights.

ID Theft Complaint Form: 
The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for identity theft complaints. The complaints we receive from victims are available to other federal, state and local law enforcement officials nationwide.  The standardized printed ID Theft Complaint can be used in conjunction with a police report to create an Identity Theft Report that will help victims recover more quickly.
Specifically, an Identity Theft Report can be used to permanently block fr...

While dealing with problems resulting from identity theft can be time-consuming and frustrating, most victims can resolve their cases by being assertive, organized, and knowledgeable about their legal rights. Some laws require you to notify companies within specific time periods. Don’t delay in contacting any companies to deal with these problems, and ask for supervisors if you need more help than you’re getting.

Bank Accounts and Fraudulent Withdrawals

• Fraudulent Electronic Withdrawals
• Fraudulent Checks and Other “Paper” Transactions
• Fraudulent New Accounts

Bankruptcy Fraud

Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports

• Consumer Reporting Company Obligations
• Information Provider Obligations

Credit Cards
Criminal Violations
Debt Collectors
Driver’s License
Investment Fraud
Mail Th...

Once you’ve filled out, submitted, and printed the FTC’s ID Theft Complaint Form, if you haven’t already filed a police report, you should go to your local police station with a copy of the Complaint Form. You should also continue to take the other steps that victims of ID theft should follow.

What should I bring with me when I go to the police?
When you go to your local police department to file a report, there are several documents that you should bring:

• A printed copy of your ID Theft Complaint Form;
• The Law Enforcement Cover Letter;
• A government-issued identification document, preferably with a photo;
• Proof of residency (something that shows your address), such as a copy of your phone or utilities bill, your rental agreement, or your payroll stub...

Filing a complaint with the FTC is important for several reasons. First, the information that you enter into the ID Theft Complaint Form can be used as part of an Identity Theft Report, which is an important tool in recovering from identity theft. Read on to find out more about your rights as a victim of identity theft.

Second, when you file an ID Theft Complaint with the FTC, you can help law enforcers catch identity thieves. Your complaint is entered into the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, which law enforcement officers can search as part of their criminal investigations. (The FTC, however, does not bring criminal cases.) Law enforcement officers who are members of the Clearinghouse may contact you if your case becomes part of their investigation...

If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps as soon as possible, and keep a record with the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too...

Stay alert for the signs of identity theft, like:

• accounts you didn’t open and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain.
• fraudulent or inaccurate information on your credit reports, including accounts and personal information, like your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials, and employers.
• failing to receive bills or other mail. Follow up with creditors if your bills don’t arrive on time. A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks.
• receiving credit cards that you didn’t apply for.
• being denied credit, or being offered less favorable credit terms, like a high interest rate, for no apparent reason.
• getting calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services y...

Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary, and ask to use other types of identifiers. If your state uses your Social Security number as your driver’s license number, ask to substitute another number. Do the same if your health insurance company uses your Social Security number as your policy number.

Your employer and financial institutions will need your Social Security number for wage and tax reporting purposes. Other businesses may ask you for your Social Security number to do a credit check if you are applying for a loan, renting an apartment, or signing up for utilities. Sometimes, however, they simply want your Social Security number for general record keeping...

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.
The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious...

Identity Theft Again Leads the List

The Federal Trade Commission today released its annual report detailing consumer complaints about fraud and identity theft in 2005. Complaints about identity theft topped the list, accounting for 255,000 of more than 686,000 complaints filed with the agency in 2005. The complaints, filed online or at a toll-free number, are shared via a secure database with more than 1,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and law enforcement and consumer protection agencies in Canada and Australia.

“With a call or a click, consumers can file complaints with law enforcers across the country and around the world,” said Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman of the FTC. “These reports provide ammunition that helps law enforcers fight fraud and identity theft...

The Federal Trade Commission today released a survey showing that 8.3 million American adults, or 3.7 percent of all American adults, were victims of identity theft in 2005. Of the victims, 3.2 million, or 1.4 percent of all adults, experienced misuse of their existing credit card accounts; 3.3 million, or 1.5 percent, experienced misuse of non-credit card accounts; and 1.8 million victims, or 0.8 percent, found that new accounts were opened or other frauds were committed using their personal identifying information.

“Whether you’re from Malibu or Manhattan, Tacoma or Tallahassee, no one is immune to identity theft,” said Lydia B. Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection...