I d e n t i t y T h e f t : A G u i d e F o r V i c t i m s

Prepared by San Francisco Police Page 1 of 2 Jan. 2004

This sheet contains important information for you if:

! Someone has used your personal identifying information (your name, address, telephone number, social security

number, driver’s license number, etc.) without your consent for an unlawful purpose.

! Your wallet, purse or mail were recently stolen containing credit cards or applications, blank or completed checks, your

driver’s license, social security number, work or school ID, passport, etc.

Your personal information can be used by thieves to apply for credit, to create and use counterfeit checks or credit cards, to establish

www.ftc.gov. Penal Code 530.6 requires your local police department to take your report, regardless where the identity theft occurred,

and forward it to the law enforcement agencies located where the checks or credit cards were used, or where the fraudulent credit

applications were presented. When possible prepare a typed statement of what happened and provide it to officers, along with

documentation of the fraudulent accounts and charges, including the city & state where the fraud occurred. The theft of your wallet,

purse, or mail is a separate crime from the fraudulent use of your identity, often involving different perpetrators. If you have not already

done so you should make a police report for the theft – separate from the fraudulent use of your identity. Record the police report

number(s) you’re given and provide them to your creditors. Although the police will take your report, it will be up to you to make all the

necessary contacts to protect yourself from further loss and to restore your credit. Lack of evidence often prevents police from making

arrests in every case, but your timely report is valuable in any case.

Credit Bureaus: Call all three credit reporting companies. Report the theft and fraudulent use of your checks, credit cards, ID, or social

each credit bureau a copy of your police report, and ask them to block the fraudulent information immediately - Cal. Civil Code

1785.16(k) requires them to do so. Ask the credit bureaus to notify those who have received your credit report recently, to alert them to

the disputed and erroneous information.

Credit Reporting Bureaus

Equifax www.equifax.com

P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

To report fraud call: 800-525-6285

For a credit report: 800-685-1 111.

Experian (formerly TRW)

www. experian. com.

P.O. Box 1017, Allen, TX 75013

To report fraud call: 888-397-3742

For a credit report: 800-682-7654.

Trans Union www.tuc.com

P.O. Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064

To report fraud call: 800-680-7289

For a credit report: 800-916-8800.

Creditors: Contact all creditors and merchants with whom your name has been used fraudulently by phone and in writing. Provide

the transactions conducted on that account, once you give them a copy of your police report.

Stolen checks or counterfeit checks: If you have had checks stolen or counterfeited, or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it

the police and to every one of the listed check verification companies. Banks do not automatically send them fraud reports and they do

not share data with each other. Cancel all bank accounts affected by fraud, and obtain new account numbers. Stop-payments are not

effective because they only last 90 days – and they cost you money. Also, stolen account numbers can be used to print new checks on

personal computers with check-writing software, and to make fraudulent automated transfers.

I d e n t i t y T h e f t : A G u i d e F o r V i c t i m s

Prepared by San Francisco Police Page 2 of 2 Jan. 2004

" California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) fraud unit: 866-658-5758, email [email protected], or www.dmv.ca.gov

Mail Theft or fraudulent change of address:

Make a report with the local Postal Inspector if you suspect someone has stolen your mail, filed a change of your address or has used

the mail to commit credit or bank fraud. If you find out where fraudulent credit cards in your name were sent, notify the local Postmaster

for that address to forward all mail in your name to your own address. You may also need to talk with the mail carrier.

" U.S. Postal Inspection Service: 415-778-5800, www. usps.gov/websites/departinspect

Social Security Number misuse: Call the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent use of your Social Security number. Be

aware the SSA will only issue you a new number if you fit their fraud victim criteria. You should order a copy of your Earnings and

Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy.

" Social Security Administration: To report fraud: 800-269-0271.

Internet Fraud: Report suspected criminal or civil fraud committed over the internet to the FBI at www.ifccfbi.gov

Make a police report of identity theft with your local law enforcement agency, and submit to the issuing court your right thumbprint and a

statement under penalty of perjury, that you are not the person to whom the citation or warrant was issued, per Vehicle Code 40500(e).

Request a finding of factual innocence, as authorized in Penal Code 530.6. For criminal warrants, you may have to request a hearing in

the county where the warrant was issued.

You are not required to pay any bill or portion of a bill that is a result of identity theft. Any payment you do make could be used to prove

your liability for the debt. You are not required to cover any checks that were written or cashed fraudulently. Your credit rating should

not be permanently affected and no legal action should be taken against you. If any merchant, financial institution or collection agency

# Buy a shredder and use it before you discard or recycle any papers containing your name or personal information.

# Shred all junk mail, especially pre-approved credit card offers or convenience checks – a common source of fraud.

# Never carry your social security number or passport unless necessary. Only carry credit cards you plan to use.

# Photocopy the contents your wallet and keep the copies in a safe place, if needed later to make a police report.

# Get a copy of your credit report every year from all three Credit Reporting Bureaus, to check for new fraudulent accounts.

# Check your bank and credit card statements every month for fraudulent charges, additional signers, or address changes.

# Unless your mailbox is secure, mail check payments at the post office and pick up new checks at the bank to avoid theft.

# Don’t give identifying information over the phone or internet to anyone you didn’t call or don’t know personally.

# Never leave your checkbook, purse or wallet in a vehicle, an office desk drawer, on a chair, or in shopping cart.

# Beware of pickpockets when in crowds or taking public transportation, and carry your wallet or purse in front of your body.