What Is ID Theft?

Identity theft is a crime in which an impostor obtains key pieces of personal information, such as Social Security or Drivers License Numbers, in order to impersonate someone else. The information can also be used to obtain credit, merchandise, and services in the name of the victim, or to provide the thief with false credentials. In addition to running up debt, an impostor might provide false identification to police or other Law enforcement agencies, creating a criminal record or leaving outstanding arrest warrants for the person whose identity has been stolen.

What Can I Do?

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
2. When writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete number on the "for" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number.
3. Using a copy machine, copy the contents of your wallet. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will then know what you had in your wallet, including account numbers, phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep this photocopy is a safe place.
4. Shred all documents with personal information on them prior to throwing them away.
5. Do not give any personal information over the phone or internet unless you instigate the connection, and don't call the number they ask you to call, look it up in the phone book.
   

1. File a police report immediately in the Jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen.  This proves to credit providers that you were diligent.
   
2. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name.
   
3. Call the Social Security fraud line number.