What is Identify Theft?
Identity theft is when someone else uses your personal identifying information (your name, Social Security number, or any other identifying information) to obtain a credit card, loan, or any other type of credit or service in your name, or when someone else files a bankruptcy case using your name or your Social Security number.
IDENTITY THEFT IS A CRIME!!!
CREDIT BUREAUS
EQUIFAX— www.equifax.com
To order your credit report:
Call: (800) 685-1111
Write: Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To report fraud:
Call: (800) 525-6285
Write: Equifax
Fraud Assistance
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348
EXPERIAN— www.experian.com
To order your credit report:
Call: (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Write: Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
To report fraud:
Call: (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Write: Experian
P.O. Box 9530
Allen, TX 75013
TRANS UNION—www.transunion.com/
To order your credit report:
Call: (800) 916-8800
Write: Trans Union
P.O. Box 34012
Fullerton, CA 92834
To report fraud:
Call: (800) 680-7289
HOW CAN YOU . . .
REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM PRE-APPROVED CREDIT LISTS?
Call: (888) 5OPTOUT (888-567-8688)
Removes your name from pre-approved credit lists compiled by Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.
REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM DIRECT MAIL LISTS?
E-mail: www.the-dma.org
Write: Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM TELEPHONE LISTS?
E-mail: www.the-dma.org
Write: Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 1559
Carmel, NY 10512
REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM E-MAIL LISTS?
E-mail: www.e-mps.org
REPORT STOLEN OR FRAUDULENT USE OF YOUR CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS?
Contact your bank or credit card issuer and close your bank account or credit card account immediately.
GET MORE INFORMATION ON IDENTITY THEFT?
The following websites contain general information about identity theft:
Identity Theft Resource Center
www.idtheftcenter.org
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
www.privacyrights.org
FEDERAL RESOURCES
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)
www.fbi.gov
The FBI investigates federal identity theft cases, including those where an identity thief used your personal identifying information to commit a crime. Although the FBI generally investigates cases where there is a significant dollar loss, your information may provide evidence of a larger pattern of fraud. If your identity has been stolen, call your local FBI field office. Local FBI field offices are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC)
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
The FTC has a hotline for identity theft victims and provides victims with information to help resolve financial and other problems resulting from identity theft. If your identity has been stolen, contact the FTC at the Identity Theft Hotline listed below or call your local FTC field office. Local FTC field offices are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
Call: (877) IDTHEFT (877-438-4338)
TDD: (202) 326-2502
Write: Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20580
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)
www.irs.gov
The IRS administers and enforces federal tax laws. If someone has filed fraudulent federal tax returns or committed other tax fraud in your name, contact the IRS at the Criminal Investigation Informant Hotline listed below or call your local IRS field office. Local IRS field offices are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
Call: (800) 829-0433
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION/OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (SSA/OIG)
oig.ssa.gov
The SSA/OIG investigates identity theft cases involving the fraudulent use of social security numbers. If someone has stolen your social security card or fraudulently used your social security number, contact the SSA/OIG at the telephone number listed below or call your local SSA/OIG field office. Local SSA/OIG field offices are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
Call: (800) 269-0271
Write: Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ)
www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/identity-theft/identity-theft-and-identity-fraud
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (USAO)
The DOJ and its USAOs prosecute federal identity theft crimes. The website listed above contains information on identity theft.
UNITED STATES TRUSTEE’S OFFICE (USTO)
www.justice.gov/ust
The DOJ and its USTOs oversee all bankruptcy filings. If someone has fraudulently filed a bankruptcy case in your name, or fraudulently used your social security number in a bankruptcy filing, contact the USTO in the region where the bankruptcy case was filed. USTOs are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE/ DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SERVICE (USDOS/DSS)
travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports
The USDOS/DSS is responsible for issuing passports. If someone has stolen or fraudulently used your passport, contact the USDOS/DSS at the website listed above or call your local USDOS/DSS field office. Local USDOS/DSS field offices are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE (USPIS)
www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
The USPIS investigates identity theft cases involving the U.S. mail. If your mail has been stolen, someone has fraudulently changed the mailing address on your bank or credit card accounts, or someone has used the mail as part of an identity theft scheme, contact the USPIS. Locate the nearest USPIS district office through the website listed above or by calling the telephone number listed below.
Call: (800) 275-8777
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE (USSS)
www.secretservice.gov
The USSS investigates federal financial crimes, including those involving identity theft. Although the USSS generally investigates cases where there is a significant dollar loss, your information may provide evidence of a larger pattern of fraud. If a financial crime has been committed in your name, contact the USSS at the website listed above or call your local USSS field office. Local USSS field offices are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)
www.sec.gov
The SEC handles complaints about investment fraud and the mishandling of investments by securities professionals. If someone has misused your identity in connection with a securities transaction, contact the SEC at the telephone number listed below or call your local SEC field office. Local SEC field offices are listed in the Government section of your White Pages telephone directory.
Call: (202) 942-7040
Write: Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549-0213
STOP IDENTITY THEFT NOW!!!
A COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM SPONSORED BY:
THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Central District of California
and
THE UNITED STATES TRUSTEE’S OFFICE