Crown Meadows Homeowners Association

Deter - Detect - Defend - Avoid Identity Theft

What You Must Do!

DETER • DETECT • DEFEND

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT

Each year, millions of Americans have their identity stolen. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to have the information you need to protect yourself against identity theft. While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, it’s important for you to:

DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information.

DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.

DEFEND against ID theft as soon as you suspect a problem.

By educating audiences at work, in your community, at your place of worship or anywhere else, you can help the people you care about save time and money by minimizing their risk of becoming victims, and reduce the emotional stress that often comes with identity theft.

Where Can You Get More Information Now!

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ddd/index.html

Equifax: 800-525-6285; www.equifax.com
Experian: 888-397-3742; www.experian.com
TransUnion: 800-680-7289; www.transunion.com

Things To Consider

Because your Social Security number can be used by ID thieves to open up fraudulent accounts in your name, watch for signs that your personal information has been misused. For example, bills that don’t arrive on time, receiving credit cards you didn’t apply for, being denied credit or receiving unfavorable terms like high interest rates for no apparent reason, or being contacted by debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you didn’t buy.


You can order your free annual credit report. You can order online at annualcreditreport.com, or by calling toll free 877-322-8228, or by writing Annual Credit Report Request Service, Box 105281, Atlanta, GA, 30384-5281.


Once you receive your report, review it for suspicious activity like inquiries from companies you didn’t contact, accounts you didn’t open, and debt on accounts you cannot explain. Check that other information, like your address, date of birth or employer, is correct.


Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. (Note: You may find it more difficult to obtain new credit while there is a fraud alert on your credit file.)


To place a fraud alert, call the toll free number of any one of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies. That agency will inform the other two. This alert can help stop someone from opening new credit accounts in your name. An initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for 90 days. After 90 days, if you want to extend the fraud alert for an additional 90 days, you may do so.
Equifax: 800-525-6285; www.equifax.com
Experian: 888-397-3742; www.experian.com
TransUnion: 800-680-7289; www.transunion.com



When you place a fraud alert with one of these three companies, you’ll receive information about ordering one free credit report from each of the companies. Many people wait about a month from when the information was stolen to order their report because suspicious activity may not appear right away.


If you learn that your information has been misused, file a complaint with the police, and with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/idtheft or 877 ID THEFT. The FTC website also has step-by-step instructions on other measures to take, including an ID Theft Affidavit that consumers can use when disputing unauthorized accounts.

Email us
gateway@ftc.gov

ID Theft: Take Action Now!

File A Complaint
Identity Theft Tips from the Federal Trade Commission