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A Word About Identity Theft

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
This is important.  If you know of any links to help fight identity theft please let me know by clicking here.

Privacy for your Florida DL record
    http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/DPPAInfo.html

Identity Theft Hotlines
If you think you personal information has been compromised:
First, contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus:
    Credit Reporting Agencies
        Experian         888 397-3742
        Equifax           800 525-6285
        Trans Union    800 680-7289

The initial fraud alert stays in your file for 90 days.  An extended fraud alert stays in your file for seven years.  You will have to provide proof of your identity to the agency among other things.  For more information on identity theft reporting visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

Second, contact the agencies of the compromised accounts:
    Wachovia    888 647-3648
    Regions Bank    800 734-4667
    Social Security Administration    800 269-0271
    Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Consumer Response Center    877 IDTHEFT (877 438-4338)
    (Please email me more numbers to post)

Third, file a police report.  Save all documents that indicate a fraud occurred and give copies to the police.  Follow up with the prosecutor should this lead to an arrest.

If you suspect someone has stolen or misused your Social Security Number, call the Social Security Administration [SSA] Fraud Hotline at 1+(800) 269-0271 or contact the following resources via internet:

• SSA Fraud Hotline for Reporting Fraud: http://www.ssa.gov/oig/guidelin.htm
• Social Security: Your number and card (SSA Pub. No. 05--10002): http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10002.html
• When Someone Misuses Your Number (SSA Pub. No. 05-10064): http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html

If you do not have internet access, call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline at 1+(877) 438-4338 or contact them at: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.  The law requires that each credit reporting agency must give you a free copy of what is contained in your credit report.  This is an excellent way to find out if someone has falsified any information regarding your credit.  For additional free disclosures visit www.ftc.gov/credit.

Deter Identity Theft

• Shred financial documents and paperwork.
• Protect your social security number - memorize it.  Don't put it on a check.
• Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the internet.
• Use anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your computer (www.onguardonline.gov)
• Don't use obvious passwords.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place.
• Other prevention/help sites:

  - MyTrustOn.com
  - IDtheftcenter.org

Detect Identity Theft

• Be Alert for bills that do not arrive as expected.
• Be alert for unexpected credit cards or account statements.
• Be alert for denials of credit for no apparent reason.
• Be alert for calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
• Be alert reviewing your financial statements.

Defend Yourself From Identity Theft

• Place a "fraud alert" on your credit reports and review reports carefully.
• Close accounts that have been tampered with or created fraudulently.
• File a police report.
• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission.