Identity Theft: Action and Prevention for Consumers

Identity Theft: Action and Prevention for Consumers

Consumers targeted by identity thieves usually do not know that they have been victims until the hijackers fail to pay the bills or repay the loans, and collection agencies begin dunning the consumers for payment of accounts they didn't even know they had.

-- The Federal Trade Commission

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve has described identity theft as "one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States."

What to do if it happens to you:

If you have been a victim of identity theft, there are government and nonprofit resources to help you.

Federal Trade Commission toll-free consumer identity theft hotline 877-IDTHEFT or (877) 438-4338; http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft (online consumer complaint form).
Comprehensive consumer brochures for ID theft prevention and for victims of identity theft:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheftmini.htm, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse step by step information for identity theft victims http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm; http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17-it.htm.
For information in Spanish for victims of identity theft, http://www.privacyrights.org/spanish/fs17(a)sp.htm.
Para informacíon en español para victimas del robo de identidad; http://www.privacyrights.org/spanish/fs17(a)sp.htm.

Reduce your chances of becoming a future victim of identity theft:

To reduce your chances of becoming an identity theft victim, safeguard your personal information such as your Social Security number and your drivers license number. Don't print your drivers license number on your checks or carry your Social Security number in your wallet. Shred mail you receive that contains your Social Security number, credit account numbers, or other personal information. Don't respond to email asking you to use a link to go to a site and give bank account, credit card account, or password information. Order copies of your credit report every year, and report in writing any errors you find. Cancel credit cards that you don't use regularly, don't carry more cards than necessary, never write your PIN on your card or carry it in your wallet or purse, get off junk mailing lists, opt out of prescreened credit card offers and use a locked mail box. Don't give out personal information unless you are sure who you are dealing with, and then only if necessary. Ask your employer how it safeguards the personal information in your employee records.

For more information about identity theft, see http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=348199&bmUID=1089676496514.

For a more complete list of things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft, see:
http://www.idtheftcenter.com/preventiontips.shtml, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm, and http://www.bos.frb.org/consumer/identity/idtheft.pdf

What your legislators can do to slow down identity theft:

For a list of things lawmakers can do to see
http://www.consumersunion.org/finance/prevent_idtheft.htm.

Other resources:

Comprehensive consumer brochure:

Identity Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name

Information on your right to dispute a charge on your credit card:

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/recovering_idt.html#21

To stop prescreened credit card offers, call toll free: 888-567-8688

To contact the credit reporting agencies to report a fraud or order a copy of your credit report click here.

To get off many lists for marketing mail, calls and email:

http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglistdave
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offtelephonedave
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumers/optoutform_emps.shtml

Mailing address to get off the lists for mail and calls: click here.

For information on the federal "Do Not Call" list to avoid telemarketer calls, see: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

Consumers Union

View Files Sorted By Office: Consumers Union OPI, New York - Washington DC Office
West Coast Regional Office - Southwest Regional Office - Consumer Policy Institute

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