COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS:

Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods

to steal your personal information, including:

1. D
 umpster Diving. They rummage through trash
looking for bills or other paper with your personal
information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers
by using a special storage device when processing
your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial
institutions or companies and send spam or
pop-up messages to get you to reveal your
personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing
statements to another location by completing a
“change of address” form.
5. “Old-Fashioned” Stealing. They steal wallets
and purses; mail, including bank and credit card
statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new
checks or tax information. They steal personnel
records from their employers, or bribe employees
who have access.

To learn more about ID theft and how to deter, detect,

and defend against it, visit ftc.gov/idtheft. Or request
copies of ID theft resources by writing to:

Consumer Response Center

Federal Trade Commission F i g h t i n g B ac k A g a i n s t
Identity Theft
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130
Washington, DC 20580

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

 DETER DETECT DEFEND
Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.
your personal information is stolen and used your financial accounts and billing statements.
P
 lace a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and
without your knowledge to commit fraud or
■

Be alert to signs that require immediate review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors
other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time attention: to follow certain procedures before they open new
and money. It can destroy your credit and accounts in your name or make changes to your existing
ruin your good name. ■ Bills that do not arrive as expected accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting
■ Unexpected credit cards or account statements companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial
90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information. ■ Denials of credit for no apparent reason r E quifax: 1-800-525-6285
r E xperian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
S hred financial documents and paperwork with personal ■ Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
r TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
■

information before you discard them.

Inspect: Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your
■ P
 rotect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you
Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social ■ Y our credit report. Credit reports contain haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts
Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely information about you, including what on your accounts that you can’t explain.
necessary or ask to use another identifier. accounts you have and your bill paying history.
r T he law requires the major nationwide ■ C lose accounts. Close any accounts that have been
■ D
 on’t give out personal information on the phone, tampered with or established fraudulently.
through the mail, or over the Internet unless you consumer reporting companies—Equifax,
r C
 all the security or fraud departments of each
know who you are dealing with. Experian, and TransUnion—to give you a free
copy of your credit report each year if you company where an account was opened or changed
■ N
 ever click on links sent in unsolicited emails; ask for it. without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies
instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, r V isit www.AnnualCreditReport.com of supporting documents.
anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect r U se the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support
or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created
your home computer; keep them up-to-date. by these three companies, to order your free your written statement.
Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information. r A sk for verification that the disputed account has
credit reports each year. You also can write:
Annual Credit Report Request Service, been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
■ D
 on’t use an obvious password like your birth date, r K eep copies of documents and records of your
P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits conversations about the theft.
of your Social Security number. ■ Y our financial statements. Review financial
accounts and billing statements regularly, ■ F ile a police report. File a report with law enforcement
■ K
 eep your personal information in a secure place officials to help you with creditors who may want proof
looking for charges you did not make.
at home, especially if you have roommates, employ of the crime.
outside help, or are having work done in your house.
■ R
 eport the theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
Your report helps law enforcement officials across
the country in their investigations.
r Online: ftc.gov/idtheft

r B y phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338)

or TTY, 1-866-653-4261
r B y mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse,
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580

F ederal T rade C ommission | 6 0 0 P enns y l v ania A v e . , N W W ashin g ton , D C 2 0 5 8 0 | ftc . g o v / idtheft | 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338)