Identity Theft - Don't Let it Happen to You

Identity theft affects an estimated 900,000 new victims every year, and, according to the FBI, is the fastest growing crime in the United States. The Federal Trade Commission ranks Michigan as having the 8th highest number of identify theft victims in the United States.

As consumers we suffer both monetary and non monetary harm by perpetrators of identify theft. Consumers suffer the harassment of collection agencies and credit bureaus, while others experience the dread of arrest warrants.

On average, victims have been reported to spend 175 to 200 hours undoing the damage caused by identity theft related problems.

According to the Federal Trade Commission there are ways we can avoid becoming victims of identity theft:

1. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time call the US Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777.
   
2. Pay attention to your billing cycles. If you do not receive a bill it could mean a theft has changed your billing address.
   
3. Put passwords on your credit cards, bank accounts, and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your birth date, mother's maiden name, etc.
   
4. Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or absolutely KNOW who you are dealing with.
   
5. Keep items with your personal information in a safe place. Tear up or shred all of your personal information before you discard it in your trash for pick up.
   
6. Do not carry your Social Card on you, leave it in a secure place..
   
7. Order a copy of your credit report from the 3 major credit reporting agencies every year: Equifax 1-800-685-111; Experian 1-888-397-3742; TransUnion 1-800-916-8800

If you are a victim of Identify Theft

1. Immediately contact the fraud departments of each of the three credit bureaus: Equifax 1-800-525-6285; Experian 1-888-397-3742; TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
   
2. Immediately contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
   
3. File a report with the Detroit Police Department or the local police department where the identity theft took place.
   
   File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by contacting their Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) or at www.consumer.gov/idtheft - they can also mail you a complete package of information you will need to start clearing your name and credit record .