IDentity Theft:

And You Just Thought You Had Problems!

 

What a pain.  Someone stole your wallet or your purse.  Or maybe they were more devious and found out your full name and date of birth and Social Security Number. 

 

It doesn't really matter how they got the information...all that we know for sure is that the potential for you to be damaged for a long time is very real.  How you handle your affairs over the first 24-72 hours after discovering your identity has been compromised is key.

 

Here's a checklist of things you need to do right now, and places you need to visit on-line to get this mess under control before it's too late....as well as additional resources you need to be sure and review to cover your assets:

 

#1  File A Police Report!  Don't jack around; don't assume anything.  Get a police report filed and a case number in hand.  You're gonna need it down the road when you file fraud affidavits with the credit card companies and banks...and anyone else that comes sniffing around trying to get paid.

 

#2  Contact ALL THREE Credit Reporting Bureaus!  The proper links to the ID theft section are listed below.  No whining.  Do it or you'll be sorry:    Experian    Equifax    TransUnion   

 

When you contact the credit reporting bureaus, tell them you've had your ID stolen and want to "flag" your credit files immediately.  This will help cut the scumbags off at the knees and reduce the number of new accounts they open in your name, since potential targets/victim-creditors will see your identity has been recently compromised and will be much more cautious transacting business with anyone claiming to be you...including you!  [Sorry, but it comes with the territory.  You're gonna be given the hairy-eyeball for the next few years I'm afraid.]

 

#3  Print out/fill out this Identity Theft Affidavit: You're gonna need it when you start contacting everybody, especially the check reporting/blacklisting companies in your market area.  For Texas, the big ones to contact are Checktronic and ChexSystems.  For California-based victims, contact the following companies:

#4  Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and report you identity stolen: Request that a new driver's license with new number be issued at once.  [This is key to cutting off the bad guys; many times the check cashing police listed in #3 above will key your "file" off of your driver's license number.]

 

#5  Notify the local Postal Inspector's office at once.  Many times the bad guys will submit "Change of Address" forms to re-direct your mail from your current address to their address.  [How else are they gonna get all of their new credit cards, issued in your name???]  Call the U.S. Post Office: (800) 275-8777)   Find out where fraudulent credit cards were sent. Notify the local Postmaster for that address to forward all mail in your name to your own address. You may also need to talk with the mail carrier.  And if you've had your mail stolen, here's another resource you need to review.

 

#6  Contact the Social Security Administration: And order a copy of your Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy. The thief might be using your Social Security Number (SSN) for employment purposes. If you fit specific fraud victim criteria, the Social Security Administration may change your Social Security Number; report fraud: (800) 269-0271. Order Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement: (800) 772-1213

 

#7  Did they get your Passport?  It doesn't matter!  Whether you have a passport or not, contact the passport office to alert them to anyone ordering a passport fraudulently.

 

#8  Spend some time reviewing the new federally-sponsored website: It's designed specifically for victims of this pain-in-the-butt crime.  Lots of great information...and you'll probably pick up on stuff that I've inadvertently missed along the way...

 

#9  Tired of reading all of this stuff yet?  Okay then, here's more resources for you...knock yourself out:

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)

Federal Deposit Insurance Commission

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

US Comptroller of the Currency

US Justice Department

US Postal Inspection Service

US Public Interest Research Group

US Secret Service

 

#10  Avoid becoming a victim in the first place!!!  Of course I save the best for last.  Use your head, will ya?

    a) Don't carry every credit card you've ever received in your wallet or purse.  You're askin' for it...

    b) Don't carry your Social Security Number or card or anything with your SSN on it, in your wallet or purse.  So your insurance ID card uses your SSN?  Don't carry it!  Chances are you won't need it...and if you do, get it to the health-care provider when it's asked for and after-the-fact if necessary.  Emergency situations have to treat or admit you, so relax.

    c) Don't be a dope and print your life history on your personal checks!  All they need is your first/middle initials, last name, mailing address and that's it!!!

    d)  Your car is not a Brink's Armored Truck: I suggest you refrain from "hiding" your purse or wallet in the car or in the trunk.

    e)  Do not trust your home mailbox!  Unless it's got a U.S. Post Office-approved lock on it [that allows the carrier access...duh!] don't use it!  The bad guys have been known to follow the mail delivery person and snatch checks, pre-printed checks, bills with all of your account information on them and worse.  Install a locking mailbox--either by the front door or at the street--a mail "slot" that will have the mail instantly delivered inside your house, or spring for a few extra bucks and get yourself either a P.O. box from the U.S. Post Office, or check out the services provided by companies like MailBoxes, Etc.  They're reasonably priced, will accept packages (great during the holidays, especially since some companies feel they're doing their job by leaving a package on your porch) or overnighted parcels (like FedEx shipments). And they'll even call you when you've got something there to pick-up!

Don't Get Suckered By This Latest Scam:

And It Looks Like It's From The IRS!

 

It had to happen sooner or later: The bad guys putting together some bogus forms that look official enough...let's face it, anytime you get a letter from our pals at the IRS, you take notice.

 

But unfortunately the identity thieves are using the IRS as their latest cover to get you to spill your guts and give up some incredibly sensitive information that could burn you down fast.  Aside from the usual name/address/Social Security Number information that the run-of-the-mill identity thief uses, this supposed IRS Request For Information asks for some other key data that they would never ask for!  The bad guys have created some phony IRS Forms...W-9095 and W-8888 that ask for bank account information, like account numbers, passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs) and the big kahuna...the holy grail of the ID Theft world: Your mother's maiden name.  Don't fall for it...read the story for yourself right here...