Identity Theft
What do I do?
Effective May 2002 it is a felony in Georgia to use someone else's identity O.C.G.A. 16-9-120 through 16-9-127.
(1) The first thing you should do is contact your local police department or sheriff's department to report the theft of your identity. (Under state law the local agency having law enforcement jurisdiction in the community of the victim's home must complete a report.)
a. Explain to them how your identity was stolen.
b. Provide them with copies of statements or other documents that you have that support your contention.
(2) File a complaint on-line at www.stopidentitytheft.org
a. If you can not file your complaint on line in addition to reporting your crime to your local law enforcement agency contact FTC at 877 438-4338 and the Georgia Office of Consumer Affairs at 404 651-8600 or 800 869-1123.
3) Contact the major credit reporting agencies.
a. Equifax, P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0250, (800) 525-6285
b. Experian, P.O. Box 1017, Allen, Texas 75013, (888) 397-3742
c. Trans Union, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, California 92634, 800 680-7289
4) After making telephone contact with the credit reporting agencies follow up with a letter.
a. In letterform explain to each credit-reporting agency that someone has stolen your identity to obtain credit or for whatever reason, i.e. driver's license etc.
b. Give factual information including copies of statements, other documents and police reports that support your contention.
c. Include in the letter that credit should not granted unless you or your spouse is contacted for verification.
5) Request a copy of your credit history.
6) Contact the company(ies) that has provided credit or other intangible or tangible property to the person who stole your identity.
a. In letter form explain you either did not make the charges that are on your statement or that you never requested credit, or you never applied for the item(s) that were issued using your identity.
b. Give factual information including copies of statements or other documents that support your contention.
c. Include a copy of your police report.
If your social security number has been compromised contact the Social Security administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271 or on-line at www.ssa.gov.
If a motor vehicle or a drivers license is involved, call (404) 362-6002 or access the Web site: www.dmvs.ga.gov.
www.privacyrights.org Website: www.pirg.org
Checks
If you've had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently in you name, call these check guarantee companies. They can flag your files so that counterfeit checks will be refused.
CheckRite (800) 766-2748
Chexsystems (800) 428-9623
CrossCheck (707) 586-0551
Equifax (800) 437-5120
International Check Svcs. (800) 526-5380
SCAN (800) 262-7771
TeleCheck (800) 710-9898
NATIONAL CHECK FRAUD CENTER: 1-843-571-2143 Website: cbruce@ckfraud.org
Action Steps for Victims
• Make a police report. Be persistent and be able to cite laws. This may be difficult when the victim, incidents, and probable culprit all exist in different states. Ask to talk to a detective that will handle the case. Provide all possible documentation.
• Report to HR and Security if you are a Raytheon employee.
• Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing, and inform them of the problem.
• Contact the Federal trade commission to report the problem.
• Obtain your credit report form each of the three major credit bureaus. Attempt to get one from a local bureau in the area the fraud occurred. Report the identity theft to their fraud units. Have a "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact" statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts.
• Alert your bank and check verification companies to flag your accounts and to contact you to confirm unusual activity.
• Request a change of PIN's and passwords where appropriate.
• Obtain your Social Security Administration (SSA) report and check for benefits paid out in your name. Report the situation to the SSA Fraud Hotline if your SSN was misused.
• Check post office for addresses in your name.
• Check tenant screening services for apartments rented in your name.
• Contact driver license authority in your state and the state where the loss/theft occurred to see if a 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.
• Keep a log of all contacts and make copies of all documents. Ask for single point of contact at all organizations/agencies so you don't have to keep repeating yourself.
• Contact a privacy or consumer advocacy group for assistance and resources.
IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCES
Applicable Laws: Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Identification Documents and Information: Title 18, US Codes (USC), Section 1028; Fraud and Related activity in Connection with Access jDevices (Credit Cards): Title 18 USC Sec 1029; Fraudulent Use of Social Security Number: Title 42 USC Sec 408(a)(7).
Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-438-4338
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271
http://www.ssa.gov
Major Credit Bureaus:
EQUIFAX
To Order Report: (800) 685-1111;
Fraud # (800) 525-6285;
http://www.equifax.com
to opt out 888-567-8688
EXPERIAN (formerly TRW)
To Order Report: (888) 397-3742 or 1-800-520-1221;
Fraud # (800) 311-4769 (press option 4);
http://www.experian.com
TRANSUNION CORPORATION
To Order Report: (800) 680-7289;
Fraud # (800) 680-7289;
http://www.transunion.com
Mailing Lists:
Contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) to have yourself removed from mail and telemarketing lists: http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist
DMA Mail Preference Center
PO Box 9008;
Farmingdale, NY 11735;
http://www.the-dma.org
or Mail Preference Service Direct Marketing Association PO Box 643Carmel, NY10512
DMA Telephone Preference Center
http://www.e-mps.org
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Also call 1-888-567-8688 to opt of of mailings for credit
Consumer Advocacy Groups
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
1717 Kettner Ave., Ste. 105; San Diego , CA 2101;
Phone: (619) 298-3396; E-Mail: prc@privacyrights.org
U.S. Public Interest Research Group
218 D St. S.E. ; Washington, DC 20001; Phone: (202) 546-9707;
E-Mail: prc@privacyrights.org E-mail: pirg@pirg.org
