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HELP STOP IDENTITY THEFT
Identity Theft - RCW 9.35.020
See also the
Attorney General's information.
WHAT IS
IDENTITY THEFT AND HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?
Identity theft involves a category of crimes; including burglary,
auto prowl, theft, mail theft, check fraud, forgery and criminal
impersonation. Victims can be devastated by the effects this crime has
on their financial well-being. One act can lead to an almost endless
series of crimes. Most losses are not monetary, so damage can be
difficult to quantify.
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Find Help
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The justice system is
often overwhelmed with cases, resulting in ineffective punishment
when compared with the number of crimes committed. |
Unfortunately, Identity Theft is a problem for everyone living,
working, doing business or banking in Cowlitz
County. There are things you can do and steps you can take to protect
yourself. If you have already been victimized there are resources
available to help you. Join us in our efforts to Impact Identity
Theft.
Here's a
quick list of ways to avoid being sucked into a credit card scam:
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DON'T give out your debit
or credit card number over the phone unless you called the company
yourself (ex: making a purchase) and you can verify validity
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If someone calls and
wants information about your credit card, hang up and call that
company directly to verify before giving out ANY personal
information
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If you don't do business
with the company that's calling, DON'T give them any
information--not even your name or address.
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Your best bet is to avoid
giving out your credit card number at all unless you initiate the
transaction. Transactions made in person, at reputable
businesses, are always safer than ordering online or over the phone.
Avoid writing any important information on billing statements that
travel through the US Mail.
Shred
it Don’t Spread It!
Take care when discarding papers or mail that contains personal
information. Any document that has your name, address, social security
number or account number can be used by an identity thief. Don’t throw
bank or credit card statements in the trash or recycle bin – Shred them.
Our motto "Shred it –
Don’t Spread It" applies to your
identity.
Monitor your Transactions!
-
 Track credit card or debit purchases and check your bank
statements monthly.
- Report any charges or suspicious transactions immediately to your
bank and law enforcement.
- Take care when writing checks and giving them to strangers. Do
business in cash at flea markets, garage sales or in personal sales
transactions.
- Be sure store clerks verify your ID – write "check ID" on the back
of credit or debit cards, and insist that they verify.
Lock Your Vehicle and Leave Valuables Out of Sight
Don’t leave checkbooks, wallets, purses, cell phones or valuables
in plain view or under a seat. Secure them in the trunk or take them
with you.
If you leave your car, LOCK IT!
Many vehicle prowls are unforced. Many of
those involve the theft of access devices left inside.
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SAFEGUARD YOUR MAIL!
Call
the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request vacation
hold. |
Rent a post office box to receive
financial mail. Never have boxes of checks mailed to your street
address. Thieves often steal new boxes of checks after postal delivery
and before residents return home. Have checks deposited directly when
possible.
Never place outgoing mail in an unsecured box. The red flag is a sure
signal to thieves that there is valuable information contained inside.
Track your
transactions
Resources
to
Help Protect Your Identity
Credit Reporting Agencies – Fraud Departments
Equifax – www.equifax.com
To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285/ TDD: 800-255-0056 and write: P.O.
Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian – www.experian.com
To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box
2104, Allen, TX 75013
To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)/ TDD:
800-972-0322 and write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion – www.transunion.com
To order your report, call: 800-916-8800 or write:
P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289/ TDD:
877-553-7803 and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box
6790, Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
- Federal Trade Commission –
1-877-382-4357
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To opt out of credit card offers call: 1-888–5-OPTOUT
To opt out of direct mail offers write:
DMA Mail Pref. Service
PO BOX 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
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INTERNET RESOURCES
The
following links are
provided as a public service. The
Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office cannot take responsibility for the
content of other web sites. |
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse:
http://www.privacyrights.org/
(Excellent source of information, resources and other links to
sites. One of principal focuses is on identity theft, with a
substantial amount of practical information and advocacy. The Fact
Sheets are extremely useful.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
A brief summary of how identify theft may occur with links to
information on existing laws and pending legislation.
U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG):
http://pirg.org/consumer/index.htm
Consumer page has links to their May 2000 report on identity theft
(Nowhere to Turn: Victims Speak Out on Identity Theft) and to privacy
alerts and information on pending legislation and regulations.
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC):
http://www.epic.org/
A privacy advocacy group that deals with privacy issues in general,
with emphasis on articles and reports on existing law, proposed
regulations and pending legislation. Also provides links to other
sites and various resources.
Jason Catlett’s Junkbusters: http://www.junkbusters.com/
An advocate who focuses on unwanted solicitations, whether by mail,
telephone, or e-mail and provides information and practical
suggestions for getting your name off lists.
Privacy Times published by Evan Hendricks:
http://www.privacytimes.com/
Contains articles from Privacy Times on companies or practices that
it views as a threat to privacy, as well as summaries of legislative
and regulatory developments. The link to "How to Protect Your Privacy"
in the upper right hand corner contains some useful tips, as well as
links to other sites.
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