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Identity Theft |
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Click here for Opt-out information
and other helpful links.
For
questions regarding Identity Theft not answered on this page,
please email the
Investigations Division. |
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Identity Theft Victim's Packet:
This is a comprehensive 32-page guide developed by
GSPD to help victims of Identity Theft.
One of the most useful and informative single sources of ID Theft
information available.
Extensive packet includes an Annual Credit Report Request form,
Opt-out Contact List, ID Theft Affidavit from the FTC, as well as a
detailed guide on what steps to take when you have become a victim
of ID Theft. |
HOW IDENTITY THEFT OCCURS:
ID Theft can occur in daily consumer transactions in a variety of
ways, for example:
SKIMMING
(This method is one of the easiest to do and
currently on the rise)
Skimming occurs when you give your credit or debit card to a
waiter at a restaurant, and s/he disappears with your card
momentarily. While out of sight, they run your card through an
illegal device the size of a pager, known as a skimmer. The
skimmer captures and stores data contained on the magnetic strip of
your card. It is then downloaded onto a blank card that
becomes a perfect counterfeit of yours. Since your card is not
actually stolen, it could take up to a month before you notice the
unauthorized account transactions.
MAIL
THEFT
Don't mail bill payments from you residential mail box. A
single theft will reveal your bank and checking account numbers
along with your personal identifying information. Place all
bill payments in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. Use a post
office box to receive your bills and other mail. This makes it
more difficult for thieves to associate account numbers with you and
your home address.
DUMPSTER DIVING
If a business discards papers (loan applications, receipts,
etc.) without shredding them, a dumpster diver may retrieve this
information from the business' trash container, then sell or use
this information to obtain credit. Also, if the consumer does
not cross-cut shred their documents which contain personal
identifying information (pre-approved credit card offers, etc.), a
thief may steal this from the victim's trash.
PURSE/WALLET LOST OR STOLEN
If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, you must take
immediate action. (1) Contact your
credit card issuers to
inform them of the situation and cancel your credit cards.
Call your bank to cancel your Debit/ ATM Card and/or checks.
(2) Report the incident to the law enforcement agency that has
jurisdiction where the incident occurred. |
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