Consumer & Miscellaneous Services/Information

482 - Identity Theft

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime of this century. This crime has no state, national, or international boundaries. You can become the victim of Identity Theft in a variety of ways. For instance, someone uses your debit/credit card information to purchase items over the Internet; someone purchases items with fraudulent checks that have been printed with your checking account information on them; or, someone obtains a loan using your name and social security number.  

If you suspect that you are the victim of Identity Theft the very first thing you should do is contact your bank, credit card company, or the creditor who claims you owe money for repayment of a loan. Be prepared to explain the discrepancy and request a copy of the company’s fraud dispute form.  This form must be completed and returned.  Most likely, the compromised account will be canceled and you will be instructed to file a police report. You will be asked for a copy of this report. 

Pursuant to California law ( Penal Code Section 530.6), identity theft must be reported to the police/sheriff’s department closest to where you reside. Before filing your police report, be sure to have copies of all documents related to the crime (i.e., bank statements, credit card statements, letters from collection agencies, cancelled checks, etc.).   Obtain a copy of the police report; send a copy to your bank, credit card company, or creditor. You should also keep a copy for your records.

The case will reviewed by a police investigator.  If the suspected crime was committed in a different jurisdiction, the law enforcement agency taking the initial report may refer the case to the law enforcement agency where the crime was committed.  For example, if a credit card belonging to a resident of Santa Monica is used to purchase items over the Internet from a company in Chicago, IL, and the items are shipped to an address in Atlanta, GA, the police report taken in Santa Monica will be forwarded to the Atlanta Police Department for further investigation because that is where the stolen items were delivered and may possibly be located.

You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC can be contacted by visiting www.consumer.gov/idtheft. If you do not have Internet access, the FTC may be reached by calling (877) IDTHEFT (438-4338) or via TTY (202) 326-2502.  You may direct correspondence to the FTC at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington D.C. 20580. By sharing your identity theft complaint with them, you will provide important information which will assist law enforcement officials in tracking down identity thieves.

If an identity thief is opening new credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You can find out by ordering a copy of your credit report from any of the three major credit bureaus:

Equifax –  http://www.equifax.com  or (800) 685-1111

Experian – www.experian.com or (888) 397-3742

TransUnion – www.transunion.com  or (800) 916-8800

Immediately advise these companies of any discrepancies contained within your credit report.