IDENTITY THEFT

1.   Steps to Prevent Identity Theft:

•  Do not give personal information over the phone, through
   the mail, or over the internet unless you have initiated
   the contact or know whom you are dealing with. Identity
   thieves will pose as bank representative, Internet service
   providers, and even government officials to get you to
   reveal identifying information.
•  Shred all documents, including pre-approved credit
   applications, insurance forms, bank checks and
   statements you are discarding, and other financial
   information.
•  Do not use your mother's maiden name, your birth date,
   the last four digits of your social security number, or a
   similar series of numbers as a password for anything.
•  Minimize the identification information and number of
   cards you carry. Take only what you will actually need.
   Don't carry your social security card, birth certificate, or
   passport, unless necessary.
•  Do not put your social security number on your checks or
   credit receipts.
•  Do not put your telephone number or driver's license
   number on your checks.
•  Be careful using ATM's and phone cards. Someone may
   look over your shoulder and get your PIN numbers,
   thereby gaining access to your accounts.
•  Make a list or copies of your credit card account numbers
   with customer service phone numbers and keep it in a
   safe place.
•  When you order new credit cards in the mail or previous
   ones have expired, watch the calendar to make sure you
   get the card within the appropriate time. If not received
   within that time, call the grantor immediately to find out if
   the card has been sent.
•  Do not put your credit card number on the Internet
   unless it is encrypted on a secured site.
•  Pay attention to your billing cycle. Follow up with
   creditors if bills don't arrive on time. A missing credit
   card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your
   credit card account and changed your billing address.
•  Cancel all credit cards that you have not used in the last
   six months. Open credit is a prime target.
•  Order your credit report at least once a year, preferably
   twice. Reports should be obtained from all three major
   sources: Equifax at 800-685-1111; Experian at 888-
   EXPERIAN (397-3742); or TransUnion at 800-680-7293.
•  Correct all mistakes on your credit report in writing. Send
   the letters return receipt requested.
•  Write to Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference
   Services, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735 to get
   your name off direct mail lists.

II.   Immediate steps to take if a Victim of Identity Theft:

•  Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major
   credit bureaus and report that your identity has been
   stolen. Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and
   that no new credit be granted without your approval.
•  For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or
   opened, contact the security departments of the
   appropriate creditors or financial institutions. Close these
   accounts. Put passwords (not your mother's maiden
   name) on any new accounts you open.
•  Report identity theft to the police agency where you live.
   Get the case number at the time of report and obtain a
   copy of the police report when available. The bank, credit
   card company, or others may need proof of the crime
   later on.

III.  Follow up steps to take::

•  Complete an ID Theft Affidavit. Copies are available
   through the credit bureau, or internet. Sites with
   information: www.consumer.gov /idtheft /victim.htm, also
   http://caag.state.ca.us/idtheft
  
  ·   Equifax - 800-685-1111
  ·   Experian(formerly TRW)-888-EXPERIAN(888-397-3742)
  ·   Trans Union - 800-888-4213
  
  
• "The Identity - Theft Survival Kit" - Written by an identity theft victim, this kit has form letters and step by step instructions on how to combat identity theft. The complete package contains a book, computer diskette with form letters, and audiocassette tapes of interviews with experts. You can order this kit online or by writing to Porpoise Press Inc. 28202 Cabot Road, suite 215, Laguna Niquel, CA 92677
  URL: http://www.identitytheft.org
  

IV.   Notifications to make of Identity Theft:

•  DMV - You may need to change your driver's license
   number if someone is fraudulently using your ID
   information. Contact DMV and put a fraud alert on your
   license and request a new number. Fill out a DMV
   complaint form to begin a fraud investigation. Send
   supporting documents. Web: www.dmv.ca.gov
•  Social Security Office - Report misuse of SSN number by
   calling Security Administration. Order a copy of your
   Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement and check for
   accuracy. If you fit specific fraud victim criteria, the
   Social Security Administration may change your social
   security number. Report fraud: (800) 269-02781. Order
   Personal Earnings and Benefits Statements: (800) 722-
   1213. Web address: www.ssa.gov
•  Postal Inspector - Cal the US Postal Office to obtain the
   phone number, (800) 275-8777. Find out where
   fraudulent credit cards were sent. Notify the 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. Web: www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect.
•  Local Bank - Notify your local bank that you have been a
   victim of identity theft. If you have had checks stolen or
   bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the
   appropriate check verification companies. Put stop
   payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure
   of. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and
   obtain new account numbers. Give the bank a secret
   password for your account (not mother's maiden name).
   If your own checks are rejected at stores where you
   shop, contact the check verification company that the
   merchant uses. To report fraudulent use of your checks:
  
  ·   CheckRite: (800) 766-2748
  ·   Chexsystems: (800) 428-9623
  ·   CrossCheck: (800) 843-0760
  ·   Equifax: (800) 437-5120
  ·   SCAN: (800) 272-7771
  ·   TeleCheck: (800) 710-9898
  ·   International Check Services: (800) 631-9656
 

Report stolen ATM Cards and change passwords immediately. Get a new ATM card, account number and password. When creating a password, don't use common numbers like the last four digits of your SSN or your birth date.