What should you do if you become a victim of identity theft?
1. Act immediately to minimize damage to your personal assets by:
notifying your bank,
notifying your credit card companies and
notifying all of the credit bureaus.
2. Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-269-0271 and explain that your Social Security Number has been fraudulently used.
3. File a police report as proof to your creditors and others that your accounts have been compromised. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the clearinghouse for identity theft. They can be reached at 1-877-438-4338.
4. For additional information on identity theft, go to the FTC Web page. The key to protecting your identity is to act promptly and use caution.
Never give your Social Security Number, bank account information, credit card numbers or other personal information to anyone you don't know and trust. If someone indicates a need for this information when opening an account or for such things as hunting licenses, ask why it is needed and how it will be safeguarded. If you are not comfortable with the answer, don't share the information. Many businesses sell their databases to others for profit.
Keep a watch out for people standing near you at retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., who have a cell phone in hand. With the camera on cell phones,anyone can take a picture of your credit card, which gives them your name, account number, and expiration date. So...be aware of your surroundings. It is better to be safe than to be a victim of identity theft.
reposting: original post from nctona5x
