- Or, send an electronic complaint to the FTC (The information you provide is up to you. However, if you do not provide your name or other information, it may be impossible for the FTC to refer, respond to, or investigate your complaint or request.)
Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, etc., in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud, which may include:
| Taking over the victim's financial accounts or obtaining fraudulent financial accounts; |
| Making purchases in the victim's name; |
| Applying for loans, credit cards, social security benefits, etc.; |
| Establishing services with utility and phone companies. |
TransUnion
1-800-888-4213| Be smart with your credit cards |
| Reduce the number of credit cards you actively use and carry no more than two credit cards in your wallet or purse at a time. |
| Cancel all unused accounts and cut up old credit cards before discarding. |
| Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately. |
| Keep a list or photocopy of all of your credit cards, all account numbers, expiration dates and telephone numbers of customer service or fraud departments of your credit card companies and keep the list in a safe place not in your wallet or purse. ( Do the same with all of your bank accounts. ) |
| Save all credit card receipts and match them to your monthly bills. |
| Never give out your credit card numbers, bank account information or other personal information over the telephone, unless you have a trusted business relationship with the company and YOU have initiated the call. |
Check your bank statements every month to make sure no one has accessed your account.
| Action Steps for Identity Theft Victims |
Call the three major credit agency Fraud Hotlines:
Call the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Hotline to obtain its ID Theft Affidavit at 1-877-IDTHEFT.