Financial Identity Theft

• What is it?
  
  

Financial Identity Theft occurs when someone gains possession of your credit card number, your ATM card and pass code, your checking account information, your debit card numbers, social security number, drivers license number, or any numbers or information, which may be used to access your financial resources.  Thieves use this information to open fraudulent accounts, purchasing huge amounts of goods and services without your consent or knowledge.  The effect of this crime might not be known for months but the legal, financial, and personal scars of Financial Identity Theft – bad credit, court appearances, smeared reputation – can last for years.

• How can I protect myself?
  
  Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine.       
                                                                 
• Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc.  Keep the photocopy in a safe place!  It will have all the necessary toll free phone numbers for each card in the event of theft or loss.
  • 
    Use the Post Office drop box for outgoing mail.
  • As with any personal information, only provide your credit card number to merchants you know.  Also, remember to protect your social security card number.  Notify the Social Security Administration Office if your social security number has been used fraudulently.
  • 
    For a more information visit:
    http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan/citizen/idtheft.html
• 
  
  What to do if you are the victim of financial identity theft:
  
  

• Report the crime to the police IMMEDIATELY in the jurisdiction where it was stolen.  In Douglas County, you can contact:
  
  
• Douglasville Police Department:  770-920-3010
• Douglas County Sheriff’s Office:  770-942-2121
  
• 
  Use you photocopied information to your credit card issuers
• Call the fraud units of the three credit reporting bureaus to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number.  They can be contacted at:

Equifax
Credit Information Services – Consumer Fraud Division
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374; www.equifax.com
1-800-685-1111

Experian (formerly TRW)
P. O. Box 1017, Allen, TX, 75013; www.experian.com;
1-888-397-3742

Trans Union
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA, 92834; www.transunion.com;
1-800-916-8800

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center
http://www.ftc.gov/oig/contactus.shtm
1-877-382-4357

Social Security Administration Fraud Line
1-800-269-0271