City of Kenmore

City of Kenmore - 6700 NE 181st St - PO Box 82607, Kenmore WA 98028 - Phone: 425-398-8900 - Fax: 425-481-3236
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IDENTITY THEFT

 

WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing consumer scams in America. Identity theft is defined as, “Someone appropriating your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.”

 

WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION IS STOLEN?

 Typically, an identity thief steals Social Security numbers or other personal identification and uses that information to unlawfully obtain credit or otherwise commit a crime. Listed below are ways identity thieves get your personal information:

 

·        They steal wallets and purses containing your identification and credit and bank cards,

·        They steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, and tax information,

·        They rummage through your trash for personal data,

·        They use personal information you share on the Internet.

 

HOW IS MY PERSONAL INFORMATION USED?

Once the theft steals your information they can use it in a variety of ways to commit fraud and crime. Below are several ways your information is used:

 

·        They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN,

·        They establish phone or wireless service in your name,

·        They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account,

·        They counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account,

·        They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.

 

HOW CAN I AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM?

While you probably can’t prevent identity theft entirely, you can minimize your risk. By managing your personal information wisely, cautiously, and with an awareness of the issue, you can help guard against identity theft. Below are some helpful tips on how to keep your information out of the hands of thieves:

 

·        Do not give your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name or account numbers to strangers who contact you, especially by phone, Internet or mail. Identity thieves sometimes pose as business, bank or government representatives to get you to reveal personal information. Legitimate financial or government organizations that do business with you already have this information and will not ask for it over the telephone.

·        Pay attention to what time of month your bills arrive. If they don’t arrive on time, call the creditor to make sure an identity thief hasn’t changed your billing address to keep you from discovering phony charges.

·        Guard your mail from theft. Don’t leave outgoing mail in your mailbox. Take it to a collection box or your local post office. Promptly remove mail after it has been delivered.

·        Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone account. Avoid using easily available information like your mother’s name, your birth date, and the last four digits of your Social Security number, your phone number or an easy series of number such as 1234.

·        Don’t carry your Social Security card. Leave it in a secure place. Give the number out only when necessary. Use other types of identification when possible.

·        Don’t carry credit cards or ID cards you don’t need.

·        Tear or shred charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, bank checks and statements, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.

·        Be aware of promotional scams. Identity thieves may use phony offers to get you to give them your personal information.

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BECOME A VICTIM?

Sometimes an identity thief can strike even if you’ve been very careful about keeping your personal information to yourself. If you suspect that your personal information has been misused to commit fraud or theft, take action immediately, and keep a detailed record of your conversations and correspondence. You will still need to take several steps to protect yourself. Here’s what to do:

 

·        Report the identity theft to the police or sheriff in the area where you live. ID theft is a felony, and charges may be filed against the thief in the county where you live.

·        Report the identity theft to your financial institution and other creditors. They may advise you to close your accounts and start over with new ones. Ask your financial institution what procedures they require of victims whose credit cards or checks have been stolen or forged.

·        Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them that you’re an identity theft victim. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed in your file, as well as a victim’s statement that asks creditors to call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. The major credit bureaus are:

 

Equifax    www.equifax.com     PO Box 2104  Allen, TX  75013 (Report fraud 1-800-525-6285) 

Experian  www.experian.com   PO Box 740241   Chester, PA  19022 (Report fraud 1-888-EXPERIAN)                                                                                               

Trans Union www.transunion.com - PO Box 1000 Chester, PA  19022 ( Report Fraud 1-800-680-7289)

 

WHERE CAN I GO FOR HELP?

If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline, 1-877-IDTHEFT.

The FTC and Attorney General post step-by-step directions on their websites for reporting identity theft and protecting your credit history. The Internet addresses are:

·        Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov

·        Washington State Attorney General’s Office: http://www.wa.gov/ago

         

The attorney General’s Identity Theft experts in our statewide Consumer Resource Centers can help refer you to the proper authorities, assist victims with referrals, and help resolve problems with credit reporting and collections. Consumer Resource Centers can be reached at 1-800-551-4636.