Fraud Prevention Resources
Report any possible fraud activity to the company that's falsely represented. Report the crime to your local police and sheriff's departments. By having the police report, you may have an easier time clearing your credit reports.
Major credit reporting agencies:
Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
(800) 525-6285 *
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
www.equifax.com
* Hearing impaired call 800.255.0056, ask operator to call Auto Disclosure Line at 800.685.1111
Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
888.397.3742/ TDD 800.972.0322
P.O. Box 9530, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com
TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Division
800.680.7289/ TDD 877.553.7803
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
www.transunion.com
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft
Toll-free hotline 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
Key Definitions
Fraud attempts:
Called “phishing” or “spoofing,” impostor emails, websites, phone calls, and text messages can be used to trick people into providing personal information that can be used for identity theft. .
Identity Theft:
Identity theft occurs when someone takes your personal information, such as your financial account numbers or your social security number, and then acts as you to run up charges and virtually destroy your financial credibility.
Phishing:
Phishing refers to a person or a group of criminals who creates an imitation or copy of an existing legitimate website page to trick users into providing sensitive personal information. Responding to phishing emails creates a risk by obtaining personal data from unsuspecting victims via the Internet - like personal IDs, passwords, card numbers and PINs – that could be used or sold to other criminals who would use it for financial gain..
Skimming:
Skimming criminals install unauthorized equipment on legitimate ATMs to steal magnetic strip data from the card being used and the PIN that is assigned to the card. A "skimmer" is mounted on the front of the ATM card slot that reads the card number and transmits it to the criminals, who sitting in a nearby car using a wireless connection. At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a brochure holder and is mounted in position to view the keying in of the PIN numbers. If you see such an attachment, do not use the ATM! Report it immediately to the financial institution.
Spyware:
Spyware is any software that aids in gathering information electronically about people or organizations without their consent and/or knowledge. The gathered info is collected and sent to an unauthorized third party. This type of software often gets installed unknowingly when downloading free software or clicking pop-ups while on a website.