Identity Theft
Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
Reporting Identity Theft
ID Theft Affidavit
Crime Stoppers
Traffic Safety

WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, costing victims over $5 billion annually. Identity theft occurs when someone else uses your personally identifying information without your knowledge or permission to obtain credit cards, get wireless or phone products and services, obtain loans and mortgages, get a job, and commit other types of fraudulent or even criminal acts, in your name, leaving you responsible for the consequences.

The identity thief uses key pieces of your information such as Social Security and driver's license numbers to obtain credit, merchandise and services in your name. An estimated 9.9 million consumers were victims of identity theft in 2003, and unfortunately, that number is growing.

There are many ways that criminals can obtain your personal information. For example they:

• Steal wallets and purses containing your identification
• Steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements
• Rummage through your trash to get your personal data
• Find personal information in your home
• Use personal information you share on the Internet
• Scam you, often by email, by posing as legitimate companies
• Steal files or bribe employees who have access to files with your information
• Obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord or employer
• Request a copy of your birth certificate from the county recorder’s office

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HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT?

The first step to prevent identity theft is awareness of how and when you use your personal information. By keeping close tabs on your personal information, you can reduce your chances of becoming an identity theft victim. Let’s start with credit cards.

• Memorize your Social Security number and passwords.
• Don’t record your password on papers you carry with you.
• Don’t use your date of birth as your password.
• Shred pre-approved credit applications and other financial documents before discarding them.
• Order credit reports every year from each of the major credit reporting agencies and thoroughly review them for accuracy.
• Never give personal or financial information over the phone or Internet unless you initiated the contact.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card or birth certificate with you.
• Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• Check your monthly credit card and bank statements for unusual activity.
• Use a firewall program on your computer, especially if you leave your computer connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
• Do not download files sent to you by strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don’t know.

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HOW DO I REPORT IDENTITY THEFT?

If you suspect that your personal information has been misused to commit fraud or theft, act immediately, and keep a detailed record of your conversations and correspondence. Your first three steps should be:

FIRST, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus:

Equifax: www.equifax.com
To order your report, call: 1-800-685-1111
or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To report fraud, call: 1-800-525-6285
and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: www.experian.com
To order your report, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
or write: P.O. Box 2104, Allen TX 75013
To report fraud, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
and write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen TX 75013

TransUnion: www.transunion.com
To order your report, call: 800-916-8800
or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022.
To report fraud, call: 1-800-680-7289
and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

SECOND, close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

THIRD, file a police report with your local police or the police in the community where the theft took place.

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For information and id theft affidavit click on the tabs below.

ID Checklist
ID Theft Affidavit

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Crime Stoppers of Cowlitz County is a community program, operated by citizens, that involves the public, the media and area law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime.  It offers cash rewards and anonymity to persons who furnish information leading to the arrest of, and filing of changes against, felony crime offenders.  For more information about Crime Stoppers go to: http://www.cowlitzcrimestoppers.com.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY

55-ALIVE Program
http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/

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