Identity Theft

Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. Identity Theft related losses totaled approximately $50 billion in 2005. Identity Theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, and social security number, in order to impersonate them. This enable the identity theft to commit numerous forms of fraud. The Federal Trade Commission reports that one person in four will become a victim of identity theft.

Prevention Tips:
Mail

• Get a locking mailbox and promptly remove mail after delivery.
• Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection mailboxes or at your local post office. Do not leave mail in unsecured mail receptacle. 

Personal Information:

• Never give personal information such as your social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card number, or bank PIN code over the telephone unless you initiated the phone call.
• Memorize your social security number and all of your passwords. Do not record them on any cards or on anything in your wallet or purse.
• Beware of mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions offering instant prizes or awards designed solely to obtain your personal identifying information.
• Use caution when disclosing checking account numbers, credit card numbers, or other personal financial data online unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.
• Beware of any unsolicited emails or text messages asking for you to click on a link and update your personal information. Legitimate companies will not ask you to do this.
  
  

Credit Cards and Account Statements:

• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and cancel the one you do not use.
• Order your credit report from the three credit bureaus one a year to check for fraudulent activity.
• Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, trash receptacles, or gasoline pumps.
• Sign the back of all new credit cards immediately.
• Save all credit card receipts and match them against your monthly bills.
• Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills, and other financial information before discarding them.
• Be award of when to expect financial statements. If they do not arrive, contact the sender.
• Notify your credit card companies and banks when you change your address or phone number. 
• Never put your credit card or other financial account numbers on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
• If you are expecting a new credit card and it has not arrived in a timely manner, contact the bank or credit card company involved. 
• If you receive a bill from a creditor or collection agency, and you did not make the charges, you may be the victim of Identity Theft. In addition to contacting the Police Department, send a courtesy notice to either the creditor or collection agency.

Reporting Information:
If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

• Set up a folder to keep a detailed history of the crime.
• Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents.
• Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem.
• Call any one of the three credit bureaus fraud departments to report identity theft. Ask to have a Fraud Alert/Victim Impact statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts.
• Request a copy of your credit report.
• Report the crime to your local law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction you reside in. Give them as much documented evidence as possible.
• If your Social Security Number is being used, contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.
• If you are wrongfully identified as a criminal, the California Department of Justice has an Identity Theft Registry. Report this to the State Department of Justice at (888)
• 880-0240 (24-hours a day) or www.ag.ca.gov/idtheft/general.htm
• Alert your banks to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual activity. Request a change in PIN and a new password.

Resources:
Credit Bureaus
You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report if you have been a victim of identity theft, been denied credit, receive welfare benefits, or are unemployed. Contact one of the following credit agencies or visit www.annualcreditreport.com.

Equifax
ww.equifax.com 
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241

• To order your credit report, call (800) 685-1111
• To report fraud, call (800) 525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW)
www.experian.com
P.O. Box 949, Allen, Texas 75013-0949

• To order your credit report, call (888) 397-3742
• To report fraud, call (888) 397-3742

Trans Union
www.transunion.com
P.O. Box 390, Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064-0390

• To order your credit report, call (800) 916-8800
• To report fraud, call (800) 680-7289

FEDERAL AGENCIES
Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580

• To report fraud, call (877) 438-4338

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov

• To report fraud, call (800) 269-0271

United States Postal Service
ww.usps.gov

• Report mail theft to the Postal Inspector

Long Beach Police Department
Call Police Dispatch at (562) 435-6711 to report suspicious activity or dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.