What to do if you become a victim
What to do if you become a victim of identity theft
Once you become aware that you are a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you set up a folder to keep a detailed history of this crime. This folder should contain the following:
• Copies of all documents your receive or obtain
• Log of all your contacts, witnesses, and suspects. Be sure to include their names and telephone numbers
• Contact all creditors and inform them of that you are a victim of identity theft.
• A detailed list or spreadsheet of your financial loss
Report your identity theft to the police agency where you work or live. If you live or work in Santa Clara you can report your identity theft on-line at http://scpd.org/index.aspx?page=29 or call us at 408.615.4700. Retain the police report number in your folder
Contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov to report your identity theft. The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. The FTC helps victims by providing information to help resolve financial and other problems that could result from identity theft. Their hotline telephone number is: 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338)
Contact each of the three credit bureaus to report your identity theft. Ask to have a “Fraud Alert” placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts. Request a copy of your credit report. This will be provided to you free of charge if you are a victim of identity theft.
Equifax
P. O. Box 74021
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To order your report,
call: 1-800-685-1111.
To report fraud,
call: 1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com |
Experian
P.O. Box 9532,
Allen TX 75013
To order your report,
call: 1-888-397-3742
To report fraud,
call: 1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
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Trans Union
P.O. Box 6790,
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
To order your report,
call: 1-800-916-8800
To report fraud,
call: 1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com
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For further monitoring please visit:
www.annualcreditreport.com. You can receive a free credit report from each credit bureau every year.
Alert all of your financial institutions to flag your accounts and contact you in the event of any suspicious activity. Request a change of your PIN number and/or password.
The Santa Clara Police Department, in partnership with The Identity Theft Council, is committed to providing assistance to identity theft victims. The Identity Theft Council is a free local service that provides victims of identity theft with access to local experts and trained counselors to help them recover from identity theft. For more information visit the Identity Theft Council's website at www.identitytheftcouncil.org or call (888) 771-9767
Stolen Mail
Notify the United States Postal Inspector if your mail has been stolen or tampered with:
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service office in San Jose – phone (408) 938-4802, or contact them at: https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov
Checks Theft/Compromises
If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the following companies:
• National Check Fraud Service – (843) 571-2143
• SCAN – (800) 262-7771
• Telecheck – (800) 710-9898 or (800) 927-0188
• CheckRite – (800) 766-2748
• Cross Check – (707) 586-0551
• Equifax Check System – (800) 437-5120
• International Check Services – (800) 526-5380
Social Security ID theft
• Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at: 1-800-269-0271 or at http://oig.ssa.gov/report-fraud-waste-or-abuse
California Driver's License theft
Contact the State Office of the Department of Motor Vehicles Fraud Hotline at: 1-866- 658-5758 or http://dmv.ca.gov/consumer/fraud.htm to see if another 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.
If you are charged with a crime you did not commit (false ID given at time of arrest) Contact the State Department of Justice if you have been wrongfully charged with a crime due to identity theft at www.ag.ca.gov/idtheft/general.htm. The California Department of Justice has a new Identity Theft Registry. Their phone number is: 1-888-880-0240.