Protection

Identity theft is a crime in which an imposter uses a victim’s personal information, such as a Social Security, credit card or driver’s license number, to pose as the victim and commit fraud. Most often identity theft is a way to illegally obtain credit, buy merchandise and services, and/or hide behind an alias.

There are two basic kinds of identity theft. True name identity theft means that the thief uses personal information to open new checking and/or credit card accounts, start cell phone or cable service, or even rent an apartment. Account takeover identity theft means the imposter has gained access to a victim’s existing accounts.

Identity theft can have serious, and persistent, repercussions. While some victims can resolve their problems quickly, others have a more difficult time repairing damage to their reputations and credit records. Some identity theft victims may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of the damage inflicted on their credit history.

How does it happen?

There are a variety of methods that identity thieves can use to get hold of your information, including:

• Dumpster diving: rummaging through trash, looking for bills, statements or other documents containing your personal information.
• Skimming: stealing credit/debit card numbers by using a storage device when a card is swiped for a legitimate transaction.
• Phishing and phone phishing: pretending to be representatives of financial institutions or companies and sending spam or pop-up messages that trick you into revealing personal information, either on a hoax website or fake customer service number. 
• Changing your address: diverting your billing statements to another location by completing a change-of-address form.
• Outright stealing: snatching wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. Thieves may also swipe personnel records or bribe employees who have access to them.
• Pretexting: lying about their identity to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies and other sources.

Protecting Yourself

Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself. For more information, visit the American Express Fraud Protection Center.

• Keep your personal information in a secure place in your home, preferably in a safe or a locked filing cabinet.
• Shred any bills, statements or pieces of correspondence with your name, address, Social Security number or account number on them. Opt for online statements whenever possible.
• Carefully review your credit card and telephone bills to search for unauthorized activity. Accessing your account online is a great way to stay up-to-date on recent charges. You can learn more about managing your American Express Card Account online, visit www.americanexpress.com/mycardaccount.
• Notify your creditors if a mailed bill does not arrive on time. It may have been stolen or diverted.
• Never print your Social Security number or telephone number on your bank checks.
• Check your credit report with major credit bureaus at least once a year. Look for inaccurate information, or for any transactions that you were not aware of or did not authorize. You may also want to seek credit bureau reports on your children, since identity thieves have been known to steal children’s Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts.
• Ask about security measures where you work. Find out who can obtain your personal information, how your information is secured, and how personnel records are discarded.
• Do not respond to unsolicited e-mails, instant messages, text messages, or website pop-ups purportedly from your bank, credit card company or cell phone provider. If you have any doubt about the legitimacy of an electronic communication, call the customer service department of the company claiming to be sending the messages. Use a telephone number you obtain independently.
• When you travel, have your mail held at your local Post Office, or ask someone you trust to collect and hold your mail while you’re away. 
• Consider signing up for identity theft protection plans, which may be offered by your credit/charge card provider.
• Sign up for card alerts, which will notify you of any irregular account activity. American Express Cardmembers can sign up online.
• Never give your personal information (including a credit card number) over the phone or on the Internet if you don’t know the company or website.

Evidence That You’ve Been A Victim

How do you know you are a victim of identity theft? The first clue will often be on your card, bank or investment account statements. You may see charges, withdrawals or other changes you did not make. Other indications include:

• Failing to receive bills or mail when they’re expected;
• Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply;
• Denial of credit for no apparent reason; or
• Receiving calls from debt collectors or companies regarding merchandise or services you didn’t buy, or credit card accounts which you didn’t open.

What To Do If You’ve Become A Victim of Identity Theft

If you suspect you’ve become a victim of identity theft, it is essential to act immediately.

Contact all creditors with whom your name or identifying data has been fraudulently used. Keep in mind that each creditor may have its own process for handling a case of identity theft. Your card provider may have an identity theft action plan.

Contact all financial institutions where you have accounts that an identity thief has taken over or that have been created in your name. You may need to cancel accounts, place stop-payment orders on any outstanding checks that have not cleared, and change your ATM card, account and PIN.

• You may also want to contact the two major check verification companies, TeleCheck (1-800-710-9898) and Certegy, Inc. (1-800-437-5120), which can alert retailers who use their databases not to accept your checks. You can also find out if a thief has been passing bad checks on your account by calling SCAN at 1-800-262-7771.

Call local law enforcement and file a police report, which will trigger an investigation. Banks, credit card companies and other agencies may require the police report number and the name of the investigator before they begin their own procedures.

Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). FTC counselors can take your complaint and provide additional advice on how to proceed. The agency’s website (www.consumer.gov/idtheft) is an excellent place to find tips and resources.

Contact the fraud units of the three principal credit bureaus, Equifax (www.equifax.com), Experian^® .(www.experian.com), and TransUnion^SM (www.tuc.com) and request that your file be flagged with a “Fraud Alert.” Tell them to notify you before any new accounts are opened or any existing accounts are changed in your name.

Contact relevant government agencies, including the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, both of which have investigative arms.

• Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline
  1-800-269-0271
  e-mail: oig.hotline@ssa.gov
  
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
  1-800-372-8347
  https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov

If you suspect your investment or brokerage accounts have been altered without your permission, also report that information to the Securities and Exchange Commission via its online Complaint Center, www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml.

Keep a detailed account of the theft, the ensuing investigation and the resolution. Follow up all telephone conversations in writing and send these letters by certified mail with return receipts requested. Your records should include:

• A file of documents related to the identity theft, such as disputed bills, credit reports and police reports.
• A log of your telephone conversations with the persons and agencies you have contacted for assistance. Be sure to record the date and time of the calls, the names and titles of the people you spoke with, and the things you discussed.
• Copies of any written correspondence related to the identity theft. Keep original documents for your file; only mail copies.

What to Look for in Your Credit Report

• Check to make sure you recognize all accounts listed in your report and that the balances are in line with your records.
• Check the section listing the persons and entities that have requested or received a copy of your report. If you do not recognize a person or entity, you may want to make further inquiries.
• Make sure there were no inquiries to your credit report regarding loans or accounts you did not apply for. If there are accounts you do not recognize, this may be a sign that someone has opened accounts in your name.
• Check the address section to confirm there are no addresses listed for places you have never lived. If there are addresses you do not recognize, this may be a sign that someone has redirected your mail.
• Make sure your Social Security number is listed correctly.
• Make sure the employment history lists accurate information.
• Make sure the information is consistent across the three credit bureaus.
• If you identify any incorrect or suspect information, contact the credit bureaus immediately.
• If the incorrect or suspect information is linked to a particular creditor, you should to contact that creditor as well.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Identity Theft Resource Center
P.O. Box 26833
San Diego, CA 92196
1-858-693-7935
www.idtheftcenter.org

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
3100 5th Avenue, Suite B
San Diego, CA 92103
1-619-298-3396
www.privacyrights.org