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Identity Theft Causes Problems for Teens and Adults!
San
Diego, CA.
“Identity theft happens when an opportunity arises and
thieves are not very particular to one’s age, if there is a credit/debit card
number to be had. Identity theft, including, but not limited to, Social Security
(SS) number, driver’s license, bank accounts, PIN numbers, credit / debit card
numbers is one of the fastest growing crimes against consumers, both young and
old, says the nonprofit Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE), a San
Diego based group.
If your wallet has been lost or stolen, usually within hours thieves may
order expensive monthly cell phone service, apply for other credit cards,
get credit lines approved and receive a PIN number from DMV to change your
driving record information online, and more, unless you make a few very
important telephone calls that will limit the damage.
First call the three major credit reporting agencies
(Equifax:1-800-525-6285, Experian:1-888-397-3742 and Trans
Union:1-800-680-7289) and ask them to immediately place a Fraud Alert on
your name and SS#. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows
your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to
authorize new credit.
Next, notify the SS national fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Then, cancel
your credit cards immediately. Be sure to have the toll free numbers and
your card numbers kept handy so you know whom to call. If you have not made
a list, a simple way is to photocopy the contents of your wallet (do both
sides of each license, credit cards, etc.), then add their toll free phone
numbers to the list.
Last, but not least, file a police report the same day, if at all possible,
in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, because this proves to credit
providers you are diligent, and is an important first step toward an
investigation.
For more information about protecting yourself against identity theft, visit
the U. S. Government’s Web site on ID fraud:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
and the National Fraud Information Center at
http://www.fraud.org/.
For help with credit card spending and deciding about
giving a credit cards to young people, visit the ICFE's Web site at:
http://www.icfe.info. To receive the same
information by mail, please send $1 and a self-addressed, 60 cent stamped
envelope to:
ICFE Kids & Credit
PO Box 34070
San Diego, CA 92163-4070.
©
Paul Richard, RFC and the Institute for
Consumer Financial Education. All rights reserved.
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