Identity Theft

The purpose of this document is to provide consistent information about preventing identity theft and helping victims at community crime prevention meetings. It will also help LAPD staff share basic tips with community members to slow down the growing problem of identity theft. The document will also warn people about how to protect their privacy and educate victims on what to do if their identity is stolen.

Identity theft is a growing problem in Los Angeles. More and more people are reporting incidents of identity theft and are afraid of becoming victims. The media has also been giving a lot of attention to this issue. The LAPD believes that there could be as many as 10,000 reported identity theft incidents in the city in 2003. To better handle these cases, the LAPD now investigates them through their Commercial Crimes Division. If you are a victim of identity theft, the LAPD encourages you to report the incident to them or your local law enforcement agency.

In 1998, a law was passed that made identity theft a crime. At first, it was considered a less serious crime, but in 1999, it was made a more serious crime. The California Penal Code describes identity theft as a crime.

When someone pretends to be you and uses your personal information to buy things or get credit without your permission, it's called identity theft. Even if you don't lose any money, it's still a crime. Identity theft can involve someone using your name, address, credit card info, driver's license, social security number, or other personal details. The thief will act like they're you and spend as much money as they can before moving on to someone else.

If you're a victim of credit or banking fraud, you'll usually only be responsible for the first \$50.00 of the loss. In some cases, you won't have to pay anything at all. However, you need to let your bank know within two days of discovering the fraud (although they may be flexible on this).

Identity theft can cause a lot of problems for victims. Even if they don't have to pay the bills that the thief racked up, their credit score can be damaged and it can take a long time to fix. This can make it hard to do things like write checks, get loans, rent apartments, or even find a job. In the past, thieves would steal wallets to get credit card numbers and other personal information. But now they use more advanced methods.

Someone can fraudulently access your credit report by pretending to be an employer, loan officer, or landlord and ordering a copy. They can also steal your mail to get new credit cards, bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, or tax information. Additionally, they can go through your trash to find credit card and loan applications that you've thrown away.

Here are some tips from the LAPD to help you prevent identity theft:

To reduce the amount of information that an identity thief can steal, avoid carrying extra credit cards, your social security card, birth certificate, or passport in your wallet or purse unless it's necessary.

To reduce the amount of personal information available to others, you can take a few steps. First, you can ask the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) to remove your name from their marketing lists. This will reduce the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive, which can be a target for identity thieves. You can also sign up for services that remove your name from marketing lists used by nationwide marketers. Finally, you can have your name and address removed from phone books and reverse directories.

Either install a mailbox with a lock at your home or business to prevent mail theft, or use a post office box instead.

When you order new checks, don't have them sent to your home address. Instead, have them sent to a post office box or arrange to pick them up at your bank.

When you pay bills, don't put the envelopes with your checks in your mailbox at home. Identity thieves can steal them and change the checks to get your money. It's better to go to the post office to mail your checks and other important mail. Use a permanent marker with a fine point to write your checks.

1. Use an online service to pay your bills.

To protect yourself from identity theft, it's best to limit the number of credit cards you use. Only carry one or two credit cards with you and cancel any unused accounts. Even if you don't use these accounts, the account numbers are still recorded in your credit report and can be used by identity thieves.

Make a list or take a photocopy of all your credit cards, including account numbers, expiration dates, and phone numbers for customer service and fraud departments. Keep this information in a safe place, not in your wallet or purse, so you can contact your creditors quickly if your credit cards are stolen. Do the same for your bank accounts.

Never give your credit card number or personal information over the phone unless you trust the person or company and you made the call. Scammers might call you and pretend to be someone else, like a sweepstakes committee, and ask for your credit card number to verify you as a winner. Don't fall for it!

Make sure to order your credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus. This will help you check for any mistakes or fraudulent activity on your accounts. It's important to review every detail in your report to ensure that you recognize all the information.

Always take your credit card receipts with you and never throw them in a public trash can.

Keep an eye on your mailbox if you're waiting for a new or replacement credit card. If the card doesn't arrive, contact the company that issued it.

When you make a password or PIN, don't use anything that someone could easily find out about you, like the last four digits of your social security number, your birthdate, your middle name, your pet's name, or any numbers that go in order. This will help keep your information safe from people who might try to steal your identity.

1. Contact your bank to enhance security on your account, such as using an additional code for access. Avoid using easily obtainable information like your mother's maiden name to safeguard against identity theft.
2. Commit your passwords to memory and avoid writing them down in your wallet or purse.
3. Guard your social security number carefully, sharing it only when absolutely necessary, such as for tax or employment purposes. It's a crucial identifier for your financial accounts and is often targeted by identity thieves.
4. Avoid having your social security number printed on your checks or provided to merchants to mitigate the risk of fraud.
5. Regularly request your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement to monitor for any fraudulent activity.
6. Review your credit card statements diligently to detect any unauthorized charges.
7. Dispose of pre-approved credit offers by shredding them before discarding, as they can be exploited by identity thieves to open credit cards in your name.
8. Similarly, shred sensitive documents like credit card receipts to prevent identity theft. Home shredders are available at many office supply stores.
9. Insist on financial institutions implementing robust security measures for your data. Request unique passwords and discourage the use of easily guessable PINs, such as the last four digits of your social security number.
10. When applying for loans, inquire about the company's document disposal methods. If you're not satisfied with their security measures, consider taking your business elsewhere. Some businesses may be careless with customer information. Also, ask how businesses store and dispose of credit card transaction slips before making a payment.
11. Safely store cancelled checks to prevent unauthorized access to personal information. Never allow your credit card number to be written on checks, as it's against the law and increases the risk of fraud.
12. Encourage organizations handling personal information to train all employees on responsible information handling practices. Advocate for the adoption of privacy policies and privacy training. Employees should also be trained to verify identification when accepting credit cards.

TIPS FOR IDENTITY THEFT VICTIMS

If you've been targeted by identity theft, it's crucial to act fast to prevent the thief from using your identity further. Unfortunately, victims often have to handle the issue themselves. Acting swiftly and decisively can help minimize the harm caused. When dealing with authorities and banks, keep track of all conversations, noting down dates, names, and phone numbers. Keep a record of the time spent and any expenses incurred. It's a good idea to confirm important conversations in writing. Make sure to provide your police report number when reporting the crime.

When sending letters, use certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of all correspondence and documents. Sometimes, identity theft victims are wrongly accused of crimes committed by the thief. If a civil judgment has been made against you because of actions by the imposter, contact the relevant court and explain that you're a victim of identity theft. If you're facing wrongful criminal charges, reach out to the state Department of Justice and the FBI to learn how to clear your name.

Additionally, the LAPD recommends the following steps:

1. Report to Authorities: Immediately inform all relevant police and sheriff departments about the identity theft. Provide them with as much evidence as you can gather. Keep track of all conversations, dates, names, and phone numbers. It's important to stay persistent, as some departments may initially refuse to write reports.
2. Contact Creditors: Reach out to all creditors who may be affected by the fraudulent activity, both by phone and in writing. Request replacement cards with new account numbers for any compromised accounts. Monitor your mail and credit card bills for any signs of new fraudulent activity, and report it promptly to the credit grantors.
3. Notify Banks and Financial Institutions: If checks or bank accounts have been compromised, notify your bank and report the fraud to check verification companies. Cancel your current accounts and request new ones with different account numbers. Ask the bank for a secret password for added security.
4. Deal with Affidavits: Banks and creditors may ask you to fill out and notarize fraud affidavits, but this isn't always necessary by law. A written statement with supporting documents should suffice. If creditors make unreasonable demands, report them to federal authorities.
5. Involve Law Enforcement Agencies: The Secret Service typically handles financial fraud cases but usually only investigates high-dollar or widespread fraud. To interest them in your case, ask your credit card companies, banks, and law enforcement to notify the Secret Service.
6. Social Security Administration: Contact the SSA to report fraudulent use of your Social Security number. Consider ordering a copy of your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement to verify accuracy. Changing your Social Security number should be a last resort, as it can be complicated.
7. Postal Services: Inform the local Postal Inspector if you suspect mail theft or fraudulent address changes. Find out where fraudulent credit cards were sent and arrange for your mail to be forwarded to your address.
8. Passport Office: Notify the passport office if you believe someone may try to fraudulently obtain a passport in your name.
9. Utilities: Alert electrical, gas, and water utilities about the possibility of someone using your identification to open new accounts.
10. Driver's License: Consider changing your driver's license number if it's being misused. Contact the DMV to check if another license has been issued in your name and request a new number if necessary.
11. Legal Assistance: Consult with an attorney if creditors or credit bureaus are uncooperative in removing fraudulent entries from your credit report. Seek help from a lawyer specializing in consumer law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
12. Mental Health Support: Take care of your mental well-being. Victims often feel violated and powerless. Consider seeking counseling or confiding in a trusted friend or advisor.
13. Financial Matters: Refuse to pay any bills resulting from identity theft. Don't cover fraudulent checks. Your credit rating should not be permanently affected, and no legal action should be taken against you. Demand better privacy protection and fraud assistance from legislators.
14. Detective Assistance: Speak with the detective handling your case. They may assist you in obtaining fingerprint comparisons or information about any warrants associated with the theft, which can help in restoring your credit or obtaining a new Social Security number.

Once you've informed your local police, contact the Federal Trade Commission either by phone at 1-877-438-4338 or by visiting their website at http://www.consumer.gov/.

CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES

Get in touch with the credit reporting agencies to find out which credit grantors have opened fraudulent accounts using your name. Ask them to remove any inquiries caused by the fraud. You can also request that they inform anyone who has received your credit report in the last six months (or two years for employers) about the disputed information.

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Los Angeles, located at 213-514-3600, may offer advice on how to remove fraudulent claims from your credit report.

Next, contact one of the three major credit reporting bureaus—Equifax, Experian (formerly TRW), or TransUnion—immediately. They share fraud information, so you only need to contact one. Report the theft of your credit cards or numbers and request that your accounts be flagged. Additionally, ask to add a victim's statement to your report, up to 100 words long, explaining the situation and providing your contact information. Find out how long the fraud alert will stay on your account and how to extend it if needed.

Keep in mind that these measures may not completely prevent new fraudulent accounts from being opened. To stay vigilant, ask the credit bureaus to provide you with free copies of your credit report every few months so you can monitor it for any suspicious activity.

EQUIFAX To report fraud call: 800-525-6285 or 800-685-1111 To order a copy of credit report write: P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

To dispute information in credit report write: P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256

To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit write:

Equifax Options P.O. Box 740123 Atlanta, GA 30374-0123 Call: 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688)

EXPERIAN (formerly TRW) To report fraud call: 888-397-3742 or Fax: 800-301-7196

To contact Experian Consumer Fraud Assistance write: P. O. Box 1017 Allen, TX 75013

To order a copy of credit report write: P.O. Box 2104 Allen, TX 75013-2104 or call: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

To dispute information in credit report contact: Experian at the address and telephone number provided on your credit report. To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit and marketing lists call: 800-353-0809

TRANS UNION To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 To report fraud, write:

Fraud Victim Assistance Division P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92634

To order a copy of credit report write:

P.O. Box 390 Springfield, PA 19064 Call: 800-916-8800

To dispute information on your credit report, call 800-888-4213 or the number provided on your credit report. You can also use the "investigation request form" provided by TransUnion when you order your report.

If you want to stop receiving pre-approved offers of credit and marketing lists, call 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688).

Remember, if you've been denied credit, you're entitled to a free credit report. If you've been a victim of fraud, ask the credit reporting bureau for a free copy of your credit report. Since 1997, a law has required credit reporting bureaus to provide credit reports free of charge to identity theft victims.

If your Social Security number has been used fraudulently, report it to the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-269-0271. You can also order your Earnings and Benefits Statement by calling the SSA at 800-772-1213. In severe cases of identity theft, they might consider changing your Social Security number.

To remove your name from mailing lists (Direct Marketing Association), write to: [Address not provided].

Mail Preference Service P.O. Box 9008 Farmingdale, NY 11735

To remove your name from telephone lists (Direct Marketing Association) write to:

Telephone Preference Service P.O. Box 9014 Farmingdale, NY 11735

REPORTING THEFT OR FRAUDULENT USE OF CHECKS To report theft or fraudulent use of your checks call:

International Check Services (ICS): 800-526-5380 Equifax: 800-437-5120

TeleCheck: 800-710-9898

ChexSystems (Regarding closed checking accounts only): 800-428-9623

Federal Information Center (For help in obtaining government agency telephone numbers): 800-688-9889

SUMMARY

When someone steals your identity, it's crucial to act fast and know what steps to take, who to contact, and understand your rights. Identity theft can cause a lot of stress and worry. The extent of the damage depends on how much the thief has affected your personal, professional, and financial life. There are several things you can do to try to prevent identity theft.

The information provided here is to help educate people about identity theft. It's essential to always be cautious, prepared, and informed. Share this information with your family and friends. Have discussions with your family to make sure everyone knows what to do if they become a victim of identity theft.

Identity Theft Related Links

• Federal Trade Commission
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Social Security

The information on identity theft in this document comes from various sources, including:

• Los Angeles Police Department, Crime Prevention Resource Center
• Los Angeles Police Department, Financial Crimes Division
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
• Victims of Crime Resource Center, McGeorge School of Law
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Los Angeles