Identity theft is a serious crime that
can have life altering affects on victims.
If steps are not taken to avoid identity
theft, the impact can destroy a victim's
name, credit, ability to obtain a job,
education and even housing. There are many
steps consumers can take to minimize the
damage from identity theft.
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
(NAR) in conjunction with the FTC have
developed a nationwide campaign to educate
consumers on how to minimize risk of
identity theft and quickly fight back if
they become a victim: AvoID Theft: Deter,
Detect, Defend. The program aims to educate
and empower consumers to protect themselves
against identity theft and to minimize the
damage it can cause.
DETER identity thieves by safeguarding
personal information:
Shred financial documents and
paperwork with personal information
before you discard them.
Protect your Social Security
number. Your Social Security number is
the key to your identity and must be
closely protected. Don't carry your
Social Security card in your wallet or
write your Social Security number on a
check. Give it out only if absolutely
necessary or ask to use another
identifier.
Don't give out personal
information on the phone, through the
mail, or over the Internet unless you
know who you are dealing with.
Never click on links sent in
unsolicited emails; instead, type in a
Web address you know. Use firewalls,
anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to
protect your home computer; keep them
up-to-date. Visit
OnGuardOnline.gov for
more information.
Don't use an obvious password
like your birth date, your mother's
maiden name, or the last four digits of
your Social Security number.
Keep your personal
information in a secure place at home,
especially if you have roommates, employ
outside help, or are having work done in
your house.
DETECT identity theft by being alert to
signs that require immediate attention such
as:
Mail or bills that do not arrive as
expected
Unexpected credit cards or account
statements
Denials of credit for no apparent
reason
Calls or letters about purchases
that were not made
Inspect your credit report. This contains
information about you, including what
accounts you have and your bill paying
history.
•The law requires the major nationwide
consumer reporting companies -- Equifax,
Experian, and TransUnion -- to give you a free
copy of your credit report each year if you
ask for it.
•Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call
(877) 322-8228, a service created by these
three companies, to order your free credit
reports each year. You also can write:
Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O.
Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
Review Your financial statements. Review
financial accounts and billing statements
regularly, looking for charges you did not
make.
DEFEND against identity theft:
Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit
reports. A fraud alert on your credit report
tells creditors to follow certain procedures
before they open any new accounts in your
name or make changes to your existing
accounts. Each of the three nationwide
consumer reporting companies has a toll free
number you can use to place an initial fraud
alert. Only one call is necessary; the
company you call will notify the other two.
An initial fraud alert is active for 90
days. If you want to place an extended
(seven-year) fraud alert, you must follow
additional procedures. • Equifax: (800) 525-6285
• Experian: (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)
• TransUnion: (800) 680-7289
Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free
copies of your credit reports. Look for
inquiries from companies you haven't
contacted, accounts you didn't open, and
debts on your accounts that you can't
explain.
Close accounts. Close any accounts that
have been tampered with or established
fraudulently. • Start by calling the security or fraud
departments of each company where an account
was opened or changed without your
authorization. Follow up in writing and
include copies of supporting documents. • Use the "ID Theft Affidavit," available at
http://ftc.gov/idtheft, to support your written
statement. • Get written verification that the disputed
account has been closed and the fraudulent
debts have been discharged. • Keep copies of documents and records of
your conversations about the theft.
File a police report. File a report with
law enforcement officials - for example,
state or local police. It will help you work
with creditors who may request documentation
that a crime has occurred.
Report the theft to the Federal Trade
Commission. Your information helps law
enforcement officials across the country
with their investigations. • Online:
http://ftc.gov/idtheft • By phone: (877) ID-THEFT (438-4338), or
TTY, (866) 653-4261 • By mail:
Identity Theft Clearinghouse Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20580
