ID Theft

Criminal Investigation Division
Capt. Kenneth D. Collier - Division Commander

Financial Crimes Unit
Sgt. Jackie Sherrill - 341-4637
Inv. Herb Lundy - 341-4640

General Guide for Victims of Identity Theft
This information is provided to assist individuals who are victims or suspect they may be victims of identity theft. It is intended as a general guide, not as legal advice.

Some things to do immediately
Victims of identity theft must act quickly to minimize the damage. It is very important to keep good notes of all conversations with your financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, including a log of the names, dates, and phone numbers of persons you contacted. You should also confirm the information in writing. Sending your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, will provide you with a record of your correspondence.

Report ID Theft to Major Credit Bureaus. 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 in your file.

  • Trans Union - Phone: 800-680-7289 P.O. Box 6790,  Fullerton, Ca 92834
  • Experian (formerly TRW) - Phone: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348
  • Equifax - Phone: 800-525-6285 P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348

File a Police Report With Local Police Where Identity Theft Occurred. Get a copy of the police report and retain for your records. Credit card companies and financial institutions may require you to show a copy of this report to verify the crime. Keep the phone number of your investigator and provide it to creditors and others who require verification of your case.

Contact All Creditors. For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the billing inquiries and security departments of the appropriate creditors or financial institutions. Close these accounts. Use passwords - not your mother's maiden name - on any new accounts opened. Confirm your contact in writing. Ask that old accounts be processed as "account closed at consumer's request." Avoid having a "card lost or stolen" reference because when this statement is reported to credit bureaus, it can be interpreted as blaming you for the loss. Carefully monitor your mail and credit card bills and report immediately any new fraudulent activity to credit grantors.

Obtain Free Copy of Your Credit Report, Monitor Regularly. As a victim of identity theft, you may obtain a free copy of your credit report and should monitor activity every few months. Ask the credit bureaus for names and phone numbers of credit grantors with whom fraudulent accounts have been opened. Ask the credit bureaus to remove inquiries that have been generated due to fraudulent access. Other consumers seeking a copy of their credit report may be charged a fee.

  • Equifax - 800685-1111
  • Experian (formerly TRW) - 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
  • Trans Union - 800-888-4213

Contest Bills That Result From Identity Theft. Consumer and privacy advocates suggest not paying any portion of a bill that is a result of identity theft and not filing for bankruptcy. This will involve disputing credit card charges with the card company by writing to the address for "billing error" disputes - not the bill payment address. You should follow the directions given by the credit card company for disputing charges. The company must provide this information. Your credit rating should not be permanently affected, and no legal action should be taken against you as a result of identity theft. If any merchant, financial institution or collection agency suggests otherwise, simply restate your willingness to cooperate, but don't allow yourself to be coerced into paying fraudulent bills. Report such attempts to government regulators immediately.

False Civil and Criminal Judgments. Sometimes victims of identity theft are wrongly accused of crimes committed by the identity thief. If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken or debts incurred by your imposter, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are wrongly prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the state Department of Justice and the FBI and obtain information on how to clear your name.

Report Stolen Checks and Stop Payment Immediately. 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 your 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
  • International Check Services: (800) 631-9656
  • SCAN: (800) 262-7771
  • TeleCheck: (800) 710-9898

Report Stolen ATM Cards and Change Passwords Immediately. Get a new ATM card, account number and password. Don't use common numbers like the last four digits of your SSN or your birth date. Monitor your account statement. You may be liable if fraud is not reported quickly.

For Suspected Fraudulent Change of Address, Notify Local Postal Inspector. Call the U.S. Post Office to obtain the phone number (800) 275-8777. Find out where fraudulent credit cards 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. www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect

Report Misuse of Social Security Number by Calling the Social Security Administration. Order a copy of your personal Earnings and Benefit Statement and check it for accuracy. The thief might be using your SSN for employment purposes. If you fit specific fraud victim criteria, the Social Security Administration may change your Social Security Number. Report Fraud: (800) 269-0271. Order Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement: (800) 772-1213 Web: www.ssa.gov

For Selected Misuse, Cancel Long Distance Calling Card Accounts. If your long distance calling card has been stolen or you discover fraudulent charges, cancel the account and open a new one. Provide a password that must be used any time the account is changed.

For Missing or Fraudulent Passports, Notify the U.S. State Department. Whether you have a passport or not, write the passport office to alert them to anyone ordering a passport fraudulently.

Seeking Legal Advice. You may want to consult a lawyer to determine legal action to take against creditors and/or credit bureaus if they are not cooperative in removing fraudulent entries from your credit report or if negligence is a factor. Call the local bar association or Legal Aid office to find an attorney who specializes in consumer law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Identity Theft Resources: