What is Identify Theft?
Identify theft is a criminal offense. It occurs when a person knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit or to aid or abet any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of federal law or that constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local law.
Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act 18 USC 1028 (a) (7)
According to the FBI, identify theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S. Studies show that about 1 in 5 families in the U.S. has been a victim of identity theft. It can occur in a variety of ways, including, stealing your Social Security or Credit Card numbers and then changing the address on your bills, using your information to impersonate you and then rent or buy products, using your personal information in criminal acts. Once you discover that your personal information has been used to open unauthorized accounts you must take immediate action to cancel all accounts and file a police report.
Tips on Filing a Police Report
Provide documentation: Furnish as much documentation as you can to prove your case. Debt collection letters, credit reports, your notarized ID Theft Affidavit, and other evidence of fraudulent activity.
Be persistent: You must file a report in the police jurisdiction in which the incident occurred. Stress the importance of a police report; many creditors require one to resolve your dispute. Under the “Police Report Initiative,” credit bureaus will automatically block the fraudulent accounts and bad debts from appearing on your credit report, but only if you can give them a copy of the police report or report number.
Tips on Organizing Your Case
*Follow up in writing with all contacts you’ve made on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipts requested.
*Keep copies of all correspondences or forms you send.
*Write down names of anyone you talk to, what he or she told you, and the date the conversation occurred. Chart your actions.
*Keep the originals of supporting documentations, police reports, and letters to creditors.
Your Most Important Contact:
Federal Trade Commissions “ Identify Theft Clearing House.” You can obtain a copy of the “ID Theft Affidavit”
1-877 438-4338
It is recommended that you complete the “ID Theft Affidavit” found at the FTC website. This affidavit has two parts: (A) ID Theft Affidavit where you report general information about yourself and the theft.
(B) Fraudulent Account Statement is where you describe the fraudulent account(s) open in your name. This guide will walk you through “how to file” affidavits with the companies.
US Postal Inspection Service
If the crime involved the U.S. Mail, report it to your nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service Office. If the crime involved counterfeit credit cards or computer hacking, report it to the U.S. Secret Service (www.secretservice.gov).
Tips to prevent mail theft/fraud: Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
Deposit mail in the U.S. Postal Service Collection boxes.
Tear up/shred unwanted documents that contain personal information.
Review your consumer credit reports annually.
Internet transactions: A secure website or encrypted transaction will have two features: (1) an icon of a lock appears in the bottom of the web browser page, (2) the URL address for the Web page changes from “http” to “https” for the page at which you input your personal data. Check with your Internet provider on security for DSL lines and wireless systems.
*This information was obtained from the following sources: US Postal Inspectors, Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Secret Service, Financial and Retail Industries. For more information on Crime Prevention please contact the Public Safety Community Coordinator, 734 944-1039 or Email: preventioncorner@writeme.com.
March 2004
