Ms. Abrams delivers information and advice through the Legally Informed blog (www.legallyinformed.wordpress.com). This blog provides insights and observations regarding a variety of subjects surrounding Elder Care, Consumer Protection, and Credit and Debt issues. Here is a recent article.

ARM YOURSELF AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft is running rampant, and it is a crime that can strike anyone, anywhere. The Federal Trade Commission ranks identity theft as the No. 1 fraud-related complaint. This does not mean that you should live in a sheer state of paranoia that prevents you from going about your daily affairs. However, you should take efforts to keep personal information under lock and key.

PREVENT PRYING EYES
Your personal information can be readily captured on the Internet, over the telephone, through the mail, at your workplace, and even in the comfort of your own home. Many of us, on a daily basis, inadvertently give out our mailing address and personal information. For example, you leave yourself open to identity theft each time that you sign up for a catalogue, join a contest, surf the Web, order by mail, or respond to surveys. 

To prevent additional dissemination of your private information, and to request that your name be removed from the major credit bureaus' mailing lists, you should call: 888-567-8688. Always guard your social security number and other personal information, and do not have your social security number, telephone number, or driver's license number printed on your checks. You also want to remember your passwords and pin numbers, and do not carry this information in your purse or wallet.

RECOVER AND REPORT YOUR STOLEN IDENTITY
The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") has made available an "ID Theft Affidavit" which is a standard form that can be used by a victim of identity theft to report the crime to creditors and companies where a new account was opened, goods were sold, or credit was used in the victim's name. 

To obtain a copy of the ID Theft Affidavit, and to report the theft, call the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline 1-877-ID Theft (1-877-438-4338), or access www.ftc.gov. In addition to completing the ID Theft Affidavit, there are additional steps you should take to recover your identity.

Contact the fraud departments of the major credit reporting agencies, and request that a fraud alert be placed on your file. Equifax - 1-800-525-6285, Experian - 1-888-397-3742, Trans Union - 1-800-680-7289. You should also request that creditors contact you before opening or changing any of your accounts.

• Notify the local police and file a formal report. Request the report number, and order a copy of the report.
• Ask all of your creditors to close your existing accounts, request a copy of all documents related to your accounts, and ask that all charges be verified.
• Alert your bank and other financial institutions of the fraud, and request new account numbers, ATM cards, and pin numbers.
• Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline (1-800-269-0271) about flagging your number for fraud use, and/or about issuing you a new number.

STOLEN IDENTITY:

Credit reports are compiled by three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union, as well as by regional companies. The fraudulent use of names, social security numbers, and credit cards is on the rise. To cut your chances of becoming a victim of “Identity Theft”, call (888) 567-8688 to have your name removed from the major credit bureaus’ mailing lists for pre-approved credit. If you are a victim of identity theft, call the Federal Trade Commission’s hotline at (877) 438-4338. Federal law limits cardholders’ liability. 

Some Visas and MasterCards now have zero-liability policies protecting their customers from identity theft. However, what is not covered is the expense of repairing a damaged credit history. A bad credit report can prevent you from getting a loan, a car, a mortgage, insurance, an apartment, and even a job. It is a good idea to inspect your credit report annually to identify whether there are errors and omissions on your credit reports. This inspection will also alert you if you are the victim of identity theft. You can order copies of your credit report from the three major agencies which are:

Equifax – (800) 685-1111 Experian – (888) 397-3742 Trans Union – (800) 916-8800

You can request a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the above three credit reporting companies at www.annualcreditreport.com.

If you are the victim of identity fraud you should do the following:

1. Call the fraud departments of the major credit bureaus and ask that a fraud alert be placed in your file.
2. Call the fraud department of your creditors to close accounts that have been opened or used fraudulently. You should also request that creditors call you before opening or changing accounts pertaining to you.
3. File reports with the police in the city and/or cities where the identity theft occurred.