Did You Know? What To Do About Identity Theft

Identity Theft occurs when someone else uses your personal information (name, address, social security number) for their own benefit.

They may use the information to open up bank accounts and credit cards in your name and you only find out about it when the creditors start calling you.

It is important to review your accounts frequently to make sure that your identity has not been stolen.

Here are some resources to help you.

• The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to request a FREE credit report every 12 months from each of the 3 main credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. To request the free reports go to www.annualcreditreport.com.

• If you think that you are a victim of identity theft you need to act immediately by doing the following:

1. File a fraud alert with the 3 credit reporting agencies:

(a) Experian: 1-888-397-3742

(b) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

(c) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

2. Contact your bank and credit card companies to cancel your accounts.

3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

4. File a police report.

For more details on these steps, visit www.ftc.gov.