How can someone
steal your Identity?
Identity theft occurs when someone
uses your personal information such as your name, Social
Security number, credit card number or other identifying
information, without your permission to commit fraud or
other crimes.
How Identity
Thieves get your personal information:
They steal wallets and purses
containing your identification and credit and bankcards.
They steal your mail, including your
bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit
offers, telephone calling cards and tax information.
They complete a "change of address
form" to divert your mail to another location.
They rummage through your trash, or
the trash of businesses, for personal data.
How Identity
Thieves use your Personal Information
They establish phone or wireless
service in your name.
They open a bank account in your name
and write bad checks on that account. |
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They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid
paying debts they've incurred under your name, or to
avoid eviction.
They counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain
your bank account.
They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your
name.
Minimize your Risk
Don’t carry your SSN card; leave it in a secure
place.
Give your SSN only when absolutely necessary. Ask
to use other types of identifiers when possible.
Give your SSN only when absolutely necessary. Ask
to use other types of identifiers when possible.
Carry only the identification information and the
number of credit and debit cards that you’ll
actually need.
Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up
with creditors if your bills don’t arrive on time. A
missing credit card bill could mean an identity
thief has taken over your account and changed your
billing address to cover his tracks |
If You Become a
Victim
Report crime to police.
If checks are involved, close account
immediately and have a new
account number issued.
Fill out an Affidavit of Forgery with
bank.
If credit cards are stolen, contact
all card companies, and have the old accounts processed
as Account closed at customer request.
Call the three credit reporting
companies and have your account flagged and add a
Victims Statement to your report.
Credit
Reporting Bureaus
Equifax (800) 685-1111
Experian (888) 397-3742
Trans Union (800) 916-8800
Social
Security
(800) 269-0271
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Village of Bradley Police Department
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147 S.
Michigan Ave.
Bradley, IL 60915 |
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Phone:
815-933-3315 |
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