TCS - Prevent Identity Theft
Prevent Identity Theft
Identity Theft is increasing at an alarming rate. Once someone assumes your
identity, it can take years to clear your good name. The obvious key is to
prevent it in the first place. The Dayton Daily News wrote an article about ID
Theft a few weeks ago but didn't give enough information on how to prevent
identity theft in the first place. So, here are some tips to prevent identity
theft from happening to you. Further information can be obtained from the
following great websites: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
and www.idtheftcenter.org
- Do not sign up for unfamiliar contests or sweepstakes. Information you
provide could be sold and reproduced hundreds of times.
- Install a lockable mailbox at your home so thieves cannot easily take your
mail.
- Don't put outgoing mail in your mailbox. Drive to the post office to mail.
- Remove your name from commercial marketing databases by writing to Direct
Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service (P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY
11735) and Telephone Preference Service (P.O. Box 9015, Farmingdale, NY 11735).
- If your mail suddenly stops, check with the Post Office. Someone may have
filed a change of address form.
- Stop credit bureaus from selling your name (header information). Call the
toll-free telephone number used by all three credit bureaus and take advantage
of their "opt-out" service. One number, (888) 5OPTOUT, or (888) 567-8688,
reaches all three bureaus. You can also opt out of unsolicited credit offers.
- Put a fraud alert on your name via the three credit reporting agencies.
Fraud alerts prevent any credit from being granted in your name without calling
you. Simply give them your cell phone number and carry your cell phone when out
shopping. If you phone the credit reporting agencies, you can establish a fraud
alert for a few months. If you write them, you can establish a fraud alert for a
few years.
- Write to National Demographics and Lifestyles and ask to be deleted from its
mailing list: National Demographics & Lifestyles, List Order Department, 1621
18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202. (800) 525-3533.
- Check out the various snail mail and email scams going around by visiting
The ID Theft's Center's page at:
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/html/scam-alerts.htm.
Credit reporting bureaus
- Equifax:
- P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348.
- Report fraud: Call (800) 525-6285 and write to address above.
- Order credit report: (800) 685-1111.
- Web: www.equifax.com
- Experian (formerly TRW):
- P.O. Box 9595, Allen, TX 75013.
- Report fraud: Call (888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) and write to address above. Fax: (800) 301-7196.
- Order credit report: (888) EXPERIAN.
- Web: www.experian.com
- Trans Union:
- P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834.
- Report fraud: (800) 680-7289 and write to address above.
- Order credit report: (800) 888-4213.
- Web: www.transunion.com
Jerry Wonderly
Dayton
For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here
Tulsa Computer Society 7/01/2003
Don Singleton, President