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 dentity
theft is one of the fastest growing concerns of our
society. Many elders are susceptible to
identity theft.
Inspect
credit reports
The law requires the major nationwide consumer
reporting companies (Equifax, Esperian, and TransUnion)
to give consumers a free credit report one time per
year. You may get one free report from each company one
time per year.
Call 1-877-32-8228 or visit
http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com
Review
bank statements and billing statements regularly
Place a
“Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the
reports carefully.
The alert
tells creditors to follow certain procedures before
opening new accounts in your name or making changes to
an existing account. To sign up call one of the
nationwide consumer reporting companies:
1. Equifax
1-800-525-6285
2. Esperian
1-888-397-3742
3. TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
Close any
accounts that have been tampered with or established
fraudulently.
Call the security department where the account was
opened or
changed without
authorization. Follow up in writing. Use the ID Theft
Affidavit at
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
to support your written statement. Ask for verification
that the disputed account was closed. Keep copies of
documents/record conversations about disputed and/or
closed accounts.
File a police
report when your accounts have been tampered with.
Report the
theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
1-877-438-4338 or
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Common
Ways ID Theft Occurs:
Dumpster
Diving – rummaging through trash.
Skimming
– stealing credit/debit card numbers by using a special
storage device when processing your card.
Phishing
– pretending to be a financial institution or company
and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal
your personal information.
Changing
your address – diverting your billing statements to
another location by a “change of address” form.
“Old-Fashioned” Stealing – they steal wallets,
purses, mail, pre-approved credit card offers, new
checks or tax information, personal records from their
employers.
Deter-Detect-Defend Avoid ID Theft,
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
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