Information current as of 24 July 2001

Applicable Laws: Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Identification Documents and Information: Title 18, US Codes (USC), Section 1028; Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Access Devices (Credit Cards): Title 18 USC Sec 1029; Fraudulent Use of Social Security Number: Title 42 USC Sec 408(a)(7).

Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-438-4338

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271

http://www.ssa.gov

Major Credit Bureaus:

EQUIFAX EXPERIAN (formerly TRW) TRANSUNION CORPORATION

To Order Report: To Order Report: Order Report:

(800) 997-2493 (888) 397-3742 or 1-800-520-1221 (800) 888-4213

Fraud # (800) 525-6285 Fraud # (800) 311-4769 (press option 4) Fraud # (800) 680-7289

http://www.equifax.com http://www.experian.com http://www.tuc.com

Mail lists

Contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) to have yourself removed from mail and telemarketing lists:

DMA DMA

Mail Preference Center Telephone Preference Center

PO Box 9008 PO Box 9014

Farmingdale, NY 11735 Farmingdale, NY 11735

http://www.the-dma.org

Also call 1-888-567-8688 (Press “Option 3” for permanent removal)

Consumer Advocacy Groups

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse U.S. Public Interest Research Group

1717 Kettner Ave., Ste. 105 218 D St. S.E.

San Diego, CA 2101 Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (619) 298-3396 Phone: (202) 546-9707

E-mail: prc@privacyrights.org E-mail: pirg@pirg.org

www.privacyrights.org Website: www.pirg.org

Checks

If you've had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently in your name, call these check guarantee companies. They can flag your file so that counterfeit checks will be refused.

CheckRite (800) 766-2748

Chexsystems (800) 428-9623

CrossCheck (707) 586-0551

Equifax (800) 437-5120

International Check Svcs (800) 526-5380

SCAN (800) 262-7771

TeleCheck (800) 710-9898

NATIONAL CHECK FRAUD CENTER: 1-843-571-2143 Website: cbruce@ckfraud.org

Action Steps for Victims

· Make a police report. Be persistent and be able to cite laws. This may be difficult when the victim, incidents, and probable culprit all exist in different states. Ask to talk to a detective that will handle the case. Provide all possible documentation.

· Report to HR and Security if you are a ________________employee.

· Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing, and inform them of the problem.

· Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem.

· Obtain your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. Attempt to get one from a local bureau in the area the fraud occurred. Report the identity theft to their fraud units. Have a “Fraud Alert/Victim Impact” statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts.

· Alert your bank and check verification companies to flag your accounts and to contact you to confirm unusual activity.

· Request a change of PIN’s and passwords where appropriate.

· Obtain your Social Security Administration (SSA) report and check for benefits paid out in your name. Report the situation to the SSA Fraud Hotline if your SSN was misused.

· Check post office for addresses in your name.

· Check tenant screening services for apartments rented in your name.

· Contact driver license authority in your state and the state where the loss/theft occured to see if a license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.

· Keep a log of all contacts and make copies of all documents. Ask for single point of contact at all organizations/agencies so you don’t have to keep repeating yourself.

· Contact a privacy or consumer advocacy group for assistance and resources.