What To Know About Identity Theft

• Dumpster diving: Rummaging through trash to look for bills and other documents containing personal information.
• Skimmers: Electronic storage devices that steal credit or debit card information from the card’s magnetic strip that are commonly found attached to ATMs, fuel pumps, and point-of-sale machines at restaurants and retail stores.
  
• Phishing, smishing, or vishing: Sending spam through email or pop-up messages online, text messages, or voicemail messages to trick you into revealing personal information.
  
• Address change: Diverting your statements or other mail to another location where thieves can access it.
  
• Stealing: Stealing wallets or purses, preapproved credit offers, new checks, tax information, etc.
  
• Pretexting: Obtaining your information under false pretenses.
  
• Synthetic ID theft: Combining a Social Security number with an unrelated name or birthdate.
  

• Credit fraud: Open new credit accounts or run up charges on existing lines of credit.
• Utilities fraud: Use stolen information to open phone, power, gas, or cable accounts.
  
• Financial fraud: Open new accounts, take over existing accounts, or apply for loans.
  
• Government documents fraud: Use stolen information to obtain a driver’s license, file a tax return, or obtain government benefits.
  
• Other fraud: Use stolen information to rent an apartment, obtain medical services, provide false information to police during an arrest, etc.
  

• Monitor your accounts for unexplained charges or withdrawals.
• Check your credit report annually.
  
• You do not receive expected bills or other mail (the thief may have changed your address).
  
• You receive credit cards for which you did not apply.
  
• You receive calls from companies about merchandise or services you did not purchase.
  

*Adapted from the Federal Trade Commission’s “Taking Charge: What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen”

If you think your identity has been stolen, follow these instructions immediately:

1. File a police report.
   
2. Close the accounts you think have been compromised or opened fraudulently.
   
3. Contact one of the following credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your credit reports. (Each agency is required to notify the other two agencies.)
   • Equifax | (800) 525-6285
   • Experian | (888) 397-3742
   • TransUnion | (800) 680-7289
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
   • Online: IdentityTheft.gov 
   • By phone: (877) 438-4338

For more information, visit the FTC’s website.