Identity Theft & Identity Fraud Resources

Identity theft is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of information such as Social Security Number, driver's license numbers and other such items and uses it for their own personal gain. This could include obtaining credit, goods, services, money, or property; or commit a felony or misdemeanor.

The following items are intended to increase public awareness of this timely issue as well as to provide solutions and resources for those affected.

For Your Convenience:
We now provide a Credit Report Request Form for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Establishing Good Habits

Carry only the credit cards that are necessary. Cancel any cards you do not use.
Check with the Better Business Bureau and the Athens & Northeast Georgia BBB website for information about the company before shopping online.
Check your telephone and cell phone bills for calls you did not make.
Discard unwanted mail by shredding. Shred everything that identifies you including magazine labels and pre-approved credit card offers.
Do not give personal information over a cell phone.
Frequently update computer software programs.
Give your Social Security Number only when necessary. Always ask to use an alternate type of identification.
Immediately remove mail from your mailbox once it has been delivered.
Keep passwords on all of your financial accounts such as bank, credit cards, telephone, cell phone, and investment accounts. Change the password every few months.
Do not carry a list of your pin numbers or passwords on your person. Do not use your mother's maiden name as a password. In addition, never give your mother's maiden name when applying for credit.
Never use your address, date of birth, or any portion of your Social Security Number as a pin number or password. Safe passwords or PINs are a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using consecutive letters or numbers such as abcd or 1234. Choose strong passwords and change them often.
Keep personal papers in a safe place.
Know the date you should receive your bank and credit card statements. A missing statement could indicate a thief has changed your address and diverted your mail. Contact the bank or credit card company immediately.
Never give your bank account numbers or Social Security number to an online merchant.
Never answer unsolicited email requests for personal information even if the source appears legitimate.
Never carry your Social Security card on your person. Store it in a safe place.
Never give personal information over the telephone unless you initiate the call.
Never open an email attachment unless you know who sent it and have pre-arranged to receive it.
Never post identifying information about you or your family on your personal Web site.
Regularly (every six months or so) obtain and analyze your credit report. Look for red flags, such as incorrect mailing address, variations of your name in the header, companies that have accessed your credit report, companies that the credit bureau has mailed you credit report to, without authorization, and the listing of retail, telecommunication, or other accounts that you have not opened.
Request and review your credit bureau reports every six months. They are not required to verify this information with consumers. For example, an impostor can change your address by filing a change of address card with the post office. The credit bureau will change their files to reflect your "new" address without verifying it with you first. The "new" address is sold to financial institutions, marketing firms, and insurance companies whom then fill your impostor's mailbox with pre-approved applications in your name.
Review your bank and credit card statements immediately upon receipt, to detect unauthorized transactions.
Shop with the online merchants you know. Make sure the site is secure before entering your credit card information. The URL, or web site address, should begin with https. A graphic, such as a lock, should appear in the bottom right corner of your browser bar. Before ordering online, read the company's privacy policy. If a privacy policy does not exist, contact the company and request one. This information is vital. You need to know how they intend to use your personal information.
Shred what you can. Crosscut shredders are best.
Stop mail while on vacation.
Take outgoing mail to the post office. Do not leave mail unattended in an outside, open, or unsecured mailbox.
Use a low-limit credit card for online shopping.

Regarding PINs and Passwords

All financial and phone accounts should have an access password or PIN number. Be very careful when choosing these. Passwords and PIN numbers should be random and unique letters and digits. Although this makes it harder to remember, your accounts will be better protected.

Do not use the following types of information as passwords or PIN numbers:

Consecutive numbers or letters (example: 1234, abcd)
Date of birth
Mother's maiden name
Nickname
Pet's name
Spouse, son or daughter's name
Spouse's date of birth
Telephone number
The last four digits of your social security number
Wedding anniversary

Protect the following types of accounts with passwords or PIN numbers:

ATM and debit cards
Cell phone
Checking
Credit cards
Investments
Savings
Telephone

ID Theft Resources from UGA

ID Theft Primer

What to Do if It Happens to You :
Report ID Theft with the FTC
Identity Theft: What To Do, If You Fall Victim
Identity Theft and Fraud (a U.S. Department of Justice ID Theft kit)
Identity Theft Info for Students
Identity Theft: How It Happens, Its Impact on Victims, and Legislative Solution - from Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Organizations

Athens & Northeast Georgia Better Business Bureau - In 2004 60 million instance of service were provided by the BBB to consumers. There is an ID Theft quiz and many people are surprised at their results
Social Security Administration:Checklist for Reporting Identity Theft

Credit Reporting Bureaus

The following are the three primary credit reporting bureaus. FYI, Georgia residents are entitled to two free credit reports a year.

Equifax

To Report Fraud: - P.O. Box 740250 / Atlanta, GA 30374 / (800) 525-6285
To Acquire Credit Report: P.O. Box 740241 / Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 / (800) 685-1111
To dispute information in report: Call the phone number provided on your credit report.
To opt out of pre-approved offers: Equifax Options / P.O. Box 740123 / Atlanta GA 30374-0123 / (888) 5OPTOUT

Experian (formerly TRW)

To report fraud: P.O. Box 1017 / Allen, TX 75013 / (888) EXPERIAN / (888) 397-3742 / Fax: (800) 301-7196
To order a copy of of your credit report: / P.O. Box 2104 / Allen TX 75013 / (888) EXPERIAN
To dispute information in report: Call the phone number provided on your credit report.
To opt out of pre-approved offers: P.O. Box 919 / Allen, TX 75013 / (888) 5OPTOUT

TransUnion:

Services

About Infosec

UGA IT Policies

Awareness

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