Identity Theft

FACTS ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT

  • Every year, nearly 9 Million people across the nation become victims of identity theft.
  • Identity theft in Michigan is greater than the National average for credit card, telephone, cell phone and utility frauds.
  • Most victims of identity theft in Michigan are more than 40 years old.
  • Identity theft victims can be living or deceased.
  • Many identity theft victims fail to notify the proper authorities and fail to file formal complaints.

PREVENTION

  • Never give out your Social Security number, Driver’s license, or other identifying information unless you know the person or organization or you initiated the contact.
  • Treat checkbooks, ATM cards, credit cards as if they’re cash – PROTECT THEM.
  • Before discarding, you should shred personal information such as receipts, insurance forms, bank and credit card statements and other documents or mail that contain personal information.
  • Notify financial institutions and credit card companies before relocating to a new home or care facility.
  • Have your mail held when going on vacation or into the hospital.
  • Cancel unused or unwanted credit cards.
  • Say NO to credit card and insurance offers by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (567-8688) or go to www.OptOutPrescreen.com.
  • Keep a list of customer service telephone numbers for current accounts in case you need to report a credit card stolen or any other kind of identity theft.
  • Consider enrolling with a credit monitoring service.
  • Always keep security software on your devices and keep it updated.
  • Review financial and credit card statements frequently for unauthorized activity.  Set up on-line access to your bank and credit card accounts to easily monitor your account activity instead of waiting for a monthly statement.
  • Switch to paperless billing and financial statements so you get less sensitive information in the mail.
  • Obtain and review a copy of your credit report each year. A list of credit reporting agencies will follow below.
  • File your tax return as early as possible.  Tax ID thieves who have obtained your personal information will try to beat you to it.
  • Use a PIN or other type of passcode for unlocking laptops, tablets and smartphones.  This way if a device is stolen or lost it will be harder for thieves to gain access.
  • Don’t use the same password for multiple online accounts and create strong and varied passwords.  Use two-factor authentication if available.
  • Do not check your email, use social media or do online shopping or banking on public Wi-fi networks, many are poorly secured.
  • Never carry your Social Security card and only carry documents with your SSN on them when necessary.
  • Don’t leave personal information in your vehicle, even if it’s locked.
  • Visit the Federal Trade Commission website to learn more about identity theft and protection at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

WHAT DO I DO IF IT HAPPENS TO ME?

If you’re a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. Do the following:

  1. Immediately contact the three credit reporting agencies listed at the end of this page. Ask for a “fraud alert” or to place a freeze on your credit report, which will help prevent new credit accounts from being opened without your consent.
  2. Go to the FTC’s Identity Theft website to report identity theft and create a personal, step-by-step recovery plan.
  3. File a report with the local police agency.
  4. Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline (1-800-269-0271). Alert them that your number has been stolen.
  5. Contact your banks and credit card companies. 
  6. Notify the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-438-4338 or online at www.ftc.gov.

THREE MAJOR CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES

EXPERIAN

www.experian.com

To order a credit report or report fraud call (888) 397-3742

EQUIFAX

www.equifax.com

To order a credit report call (800) 685-1111

To report fraud call (800) 525-6285

TRANSUNION

www.transunion.com

To order a credit report call (800) 813-5604

To report fraud call (800) 680-7289

For more good information on Identity theft scams check out the Identity Theft Resource Center.