Identity Theft Prevention, Washburn University

Identity Theft Prevention

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Your identity can be stolen in a variety of ways. Thieves will steal information from business, mail boxes, trash bins. They may obtain information as a result of burglarizing a home or stealing your wallet or purse.

You can minimize your risk of identity theft by following a few simple steps.

Order a copy of your credit report. Free reports are available annually at www.annualcreditreport.com
Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts
Avoid using easily available information; maiden names, birth dates, social security numbers, or consecutive numbers
Secure personal information in your home
Ask about information security procedures at businesses that keep personal information
Don’t give out personal information on the phone
Deposit outgoing mail at the post office or post office collection boxes instead of your own mailbox
Don’t carry your social security card
When ordering new checks pick them up at the bank instead of mailing them to your home address

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, report it immediately to lessen the impact on your credit history.

Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
Review your credit reports
Close all accounts that you believe may have been tampered with or opened fraudulently; by phone and in writing.
If charges/debits have already been made ask the company for the forms to dispute those transactions
File a report with law enforcement and with the Federal Trade Commission.

Credit report agencies

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN; www.experian.com
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com

For additional and more detailed information visit the Federal Trade Commission website www.consumer.gov/idtheft/