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If I Am A Victim Of Identity Theft What Should I Do?
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Identity theft is
the fastest growing crime in America in which key pieces of information such as
your Social Security Number, Driver's License Number, Date of Birth are
obtained without your permission to obtain credit, merchandise, services, etc.
in the name of the victim. The victim is devastated with ruined credit history
and a very time-consuming and difficult task of regaining their personal
financial status. Additionally, criminal activities could be carried out under
the victim's stolen identity name.
What to do immediately if you are a victim:
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Contact the Social Security Administration (fraud line) at 1-800-269-0271
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Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at
1-877-438-4338 (1-877 ID-THEFT) and
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Obtain 6 page ID Theft report
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Follow additional instructions given by FTC
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Contact your local Police Department and make an official written report that
you are a victim of "Identity Theft."
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Contact each of the following credit bureaus Fraud Divisions:
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Equifax Fraud
Division: 1-800-525-6285
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Experian Fraud
Division: 1-888-397-3742
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TransUnion Fraud Division: 1-800-680-7289
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Check your credit report every month for six months once you are no longer an
active "Identity Theft Victim." Continue to check your credit report once a
year for your entire life.
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Go to www.idtheftcenter.org
for more very helpful information for victims of Identity Theft and for those
who want to learn more on prevention of Identity Theft
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Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro Introduces Identity Theft Verification
Passport:
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The purpose of this Verification passport is to help victims of Identity Theft
establish their innocence and reassert control over their identification.
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Beginning January 1, 2005 people who report ID Theft to local authorities will
be given step-by-step information on what to do. They will also be provided
with simple, fill-in-the-blank affidavits-sworn statements-to send to credit
bureaus and creditors. Victims will be issued a card that the victim can show
to creditors and law enforcement personnel to prove they’ve been victim of ID
theft.
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To get a card, a victim must file a report with local law enforcement
officials. The officer will take your picture and fingerprint and ask you to
sign the application. A card will be activated after all of the appropriate
information is sent to the Attorney General’s office.
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To thwart impersonators using the Passport Card, the victim’s photo, signature
and fingerprint will be available on a secure Web site for use by law
enforcement. The card is good for seven years. If you have been a victim in the
past seven years you also can get a card. You just have to go back to the
police department where you filed your report to request the paperwork.
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More info on the ID Passport Card and process can be obtained at
www.ag.state.oh.us or call 1-888-694-3463
This information provided by your friends at SACS Consulting and Investigative
Services at www.sacsconsulting.com
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