1. Contact the creditors of any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. These may include credit card companies, telephone and cell phone companies and other utilities, credit unions, banks, and other lenders. It's also a good idea to contact other card issuers, like libraries, health insurance providers, video stores, AAA, etc. Ask to speak with the security or fraud department,take notes concerning who you spoke with, when, and conversation highlights. Follow up in writing within 30 days.
   
   Instead of completing different forms for each creditor, ask each creditor if they will accept an ID Theft Affidavit provided by the FTC to report your claim.
   
   Follow up with credit card companies in writing. There are specific consumer protection procedures spelled out for resolving errors with credit card companies. Immediately close accounts that have been tampered with and open new ones with new PINs and passwords. Avoid using easily available information, such as the last four digits of your social security number.
   
   Ask that your closed accounts be processed as "account closed at consumer's request" rather than "card lost or stolen". When "card lost or stolen" is reported to credit bureaus, they may interpret the loss as your fault.
   
   Once fraud is confirmed by a creditor, request that a letter from the creditor be sent to you and to each of the major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union) confirming the fraud. Be sure to follow up.
2. Contact the fraud departments of each credit bureau and tell them that you have been a victim of identity theft. Request a fraud victim information kit.Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file (make sure it stays in place for at least one year). A fraud alert allows you to add a temporary security alert message to your credit report alerting credit grantors to verify your identification in case someone is using your information without consent. In addition, request that a "victim's statement" be added to your credit report. For example: "My identification has been used to apply for credit fraudulently. Call me at ***-***-**** to verify any application for credit." Some credit reporting agencies require that you provide a copy of your telephone bill to verify your identity.
   
   You may also choose to request a "security freeze", which stops the release of any information from your file (until you remove it).
   
   Order a copy of your credit report at this time. A free copy should be provided to you if you indicate that you are a victim of identity theft. Ask the credit bureaus if they will supply with free reports every few months.

3. File a report with your local police department or in the community where the theft took place. Make sure the report contains a complete list of items that are missing if your purse or wallet was lost or stolen. You may also want to secure a Department of Motor Vehicles investigator's report. The police report (and its case number) is the most important piece of paper you will possess throughout this process. Be sure to keep a photocopy for yourself.

Take Control

Don't stop now! It is extremely important to be vigilant about your financial affairs. Identity thieves don't care about you, and won't stop until they are forced to stop. Protect yourself in the following ways:

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at (877) ID-THEFT ((877) 438-4338, TDD (202) 326-2502. By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580) or visit their website. Doing so will allow law enforcement and other government agencies to share information, if necessary, to help resolve identity theft related problems.
• Get a new driver's license and be sure to ask for a new license number.You must provide proof that your license number has been used fraudulently in order to obtain a new license number.
  
• It is not recommended that you apply for a new social security number. The long-term effects of doing so can be more problematic than helpful. However, you should report the fraud to the Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General.
• Stealing or tampering with mail is a crime. If you believe your mail has been tampered with, or that an identity thief has falsified change of address forms, report it to your local post office. For more information, check the US Postal Service web site or call (800) 372-8347.
• If your credit union accounts, checks, or debit, ATM or credit cards have been tampered with, close your accounts immediately and stop payment on all unused checks. Cancel your old cards and order new ones and use different PINs.
• If you believe your securities investments or a brokerage account has been tampered with, contact your broker or account manager and report it to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Having trouble with fraudulent cell phone charges? Contact the Federal Communications Commission at (888) CALL-FCC (888) 225-5322) or visit their website.
• Using another's social security number to secure employment is a crime. Report it to the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271. Follow up in writing within 30 days at PO Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235. Use this opportunity to request a copy of your Social Security Statement by calling (800) 772-1213.
• Identity thieves may actually declare bankruptcy under your name to avoid payment of debts they've incurred! If you believe this has happened to you, write to the U.S. Trustee in the region where the bankruptcy was filed. US Trustees can in the Blue Pages of your phone book under US Government - Bankruptcy Administration.
• In rare instances, identity thieves may create a criminal record under your name. You may need to hire an attorney to help resolve the problem. The procedures for clearing your name vary by jurisdiction.
• Notify your utility companies to prevent a thief from using your utility bill as proof of residence when applying for new cards.

It is important to act promptly. Place your phone calls immediately and follow up in writing within 30 days.

Desco Federal Credit Union provides links to various alternate web sites throughout our site. When you click on a link, you can see that you have left the Desco web site by checking the address line in your browser: the address will no longer begin with https://www.descofcu.org. Alternate sites are not operated by Desco. Desco is not responsible for, and exercises no control over the alternate web sites, nor does it vouch for the accuracy, privacy, or security of the information on the destination server. Desco does not represent either the alternate web site or the user if the two enter into a transaction. Privacy and security policies of alternate web sites may differ from those practiced by Desco.