Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, and mother's maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, Credit cards, and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utility and phone companies.

What to do if you become a victim:

1. Set up a folder to keep a detailed history of this crime.
2. Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents.
3. Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem.
4. Notify the US Postal Inspector if your mail has been stolen or tamper with:
   1. US Postal Inspection Service (See phone listing under Federal Goverment)
   2. www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
5. Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem
   1. www.ftc.gov - The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. THe FTC helps victims by providing information to help resolve financial and other problems that could result from identity theft. Their hotline telphone number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
6. Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem.
7. Call each of the three credit bureaus' fraud units to report identity theft. Ask to have a "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact" statemnt placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts.
8. Reuest that a copy of your credit report be sent to you.
   1. Equifax
      PO Box 74021, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241
      - to order your report call 1-800-685-1111
      - to report Fraud, call 1-800-525-6285
   2. Experian
      PO Box 949, Allen, Texas 75013-0949
      - to order your report, call 1-888-397-3742 - to report Fraud, call 1-888-397-3742
   3. Trans Union
      PO Box 390, Springfield, Pennsylvania 10964-0390
      - to order your report, call 1-800-916-8800 - to report Fraud, call 1-800-680-7289
9. Alert yur banks to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual activity. Request a change of PIN and a new password.
10. If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the following companies:
    
    1. National Check Fraud Service - (843) 571-2143
    2. SCAN (800) - 262-7771
    3. TeleCheck - (800) 710-9898 or 927-0188
    4. CheckRite - (800) 766-2748
    5. CrossCheck - (707) 586-0551
    6. Equifax Check System - (800) 437-5120
    7. International Check Services - (800) 526-5380
11. Contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271
12. Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV's complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.
13. Obtain description of suspects (if known).
14. Obtain witness information:
    1. Persons who accept applications
    2. Salespeople
    3. Apartment Managers
    4. Employers
15. Evidence: Gather all documents and report this to the Brattleboro Police Department (if you are a resident of Brattleboro)
16. What is your financial loss to yu? Attach all supporting documentation.

SAMPLE "Courtesy Notice" (Date) Dear (Creditor name/Collection Agency Name): On (Date), I received yur letter demanding payment of ($$$ amount). I did not open this account and incur this unpaid balance. Someone, other than myself, wrongfully used my personal information to obtain a line of credit/service. Your company extended a line of credit/services to someone, other than myself. You are hreby notified that on (Date), I filed an identity theft report with the Brattleboro Police Department. The case # is ( BB- ), a copy of which can be obtained by contacting the Brattleboro Police Department Records Division at (802) 257-7950) Closing, (Your name and address)