City of Davis

What Is Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information to obtain goods,

credit or other services in your name, without your knowledge or permission.

 

Personal identifying information:

Name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, place of employment, employee identification number, mothers maiden name, credit card numbers. bank account numbers.

Minimize Your Risk

• Do not give out more personal information than is necessary.
• Use the services that your bank and/or credit union provides for you, such as pay by phone or have bills paid directly from bank.
• Do not have your Social Security or Drivers License number printed on checks.
• Do not carry Social Security card with you.
• Pay attention to your bills and billing cycles. Do you receive them on time?
• Carry only credit cards or checks with you that you are actually going to use.
• Do not give out information over the phone, mail or internet unless YOU initiated the contact.
• Shred papers/documentswith any personal identifying information on them. Do not through them out. Don’t leave information lying around your home.
• Order your credit reports every year and review them.
• Install a virus scanner and personal firewall on your computer.

What To Do If You Become A Victim

• Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus. Place a “fraud alert” in your file.
• Trans Union: www.transunion.com or (800) 680-7289
• Equifax: www.equifax.com or (800) 685-1111.
• Experian: www.experian.com or (800) 311-4769.
• Call creditors of accounts that have been opened in your name, or used.
• File a police report.
• Report it to the US Postal Service or the local post office if the theft involves stolen or tampered mail.
• Close credit card accounts and bank accounts. Open new ones with password only access.
• If security investments or brokerage accounts are involved, contact your broker and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Telephone/cellular fraud: cancel the accounts and open new ones.
• Contact Social Security Fraud SSA DATA OPS P.O. Box 7004 Wilkes Barre, PA 18767 Hotline (800)269-0271 or www.ssa.gov if you’re Social Security Number was used.
• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles if your driver’s license number has been used. www.dmv.ca.gov.