About Identity Theft

Identity theft is the fraudulent use of personal identifying information. Often, identity thieves will use a victim’s personal information, such as social security number, mother’s maiden name, date of birth or account number to open fraudulent new credit card accounts, take over an existing bank account, write checks, open new share accounts, or obtain new loans.

How Identity Theft Occurs

Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to gain access to your personal information. For example, once identity thieves have your personal information, they may go on spending sprees using your card numbers to buy “big-ticket” items like computers that they can easily sell. Some cases have involved situations in which the criminals have filed bankruptcy in the names of their victims.

How Can I Tell if I’m a Victim of Identity Theft?

Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Other indications of identity theft can be:

• Failing to receive bills or other mail signaling an address change by the identity thief;
• Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply;
• Denial of credit for no apparent reason; or
• Receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you didn’t buy.

Helpful Websites about the prevention of identity theft and other scams:

• Federal Trade Commission
• Federal Reserve Identity Theft
• Department of Justice Identity Theft/Fraud
• Fake Checks
• National Consumers League’s Fraud Center
• FBI Fraud Alert
• Debit Cards Fraud Protection
• EXPRESSnet Online Banking Security
• Credit Bureaus
  • Equifax
  • TransUnion
  • Experian
• Fraud/ID Theft Services Enrollment