ID Theft

Almost 10 million Americans have discovered that they were the victim of some form of identity theft over the past year, according to a September 2003 report by the Federal Trade Commission. On average, victims of "new accounts" fraud spend 60 hours and almost $1,200 clearing their names.

If it happens to you:

• Cancel all credit/debit/ATM cards immediately - keep all toll-free numbers, along with account numbers, in a safe place where you can find them easily.
• File a police report immediately, in the jurisdiction in which your identification was stolen. This shows credit providers you were diligent and it is a first step toward an investigation.
• Place a "fraud alert" on your name and Social Security Number by calling all three national credit reporting bureaus (see phone numbers in sidebar). This will let any company that checks your credit know your information was stolen — and they should contact you by phone before authorizing new credit.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (see contact information below).

To help prevent identity theft:

• Examine all financial records frequently and carefully.
• Request copies of your credit report from all three main credit-reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
• If a bill is late in arriving, contact the company.
• Don't give your personal or financial information to anyone unless there is a legitimate need.
• Shred all mail that has identifying information, especially anything with a bar code or account number, such as those on subscription magazines.

Important Contact Information

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

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

For more information on identity theft:

• Visit the Federal Trade Commission's Web site at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
• Contact the FTC's identity theft hotline at 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338)

To stop receiving unsolicited credit card offers in the mail:

• Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688)