Identity Theft in Pennsylvania

Remain Alert
Suspect identity theft if youre denied credit for no apparent reason or if routine financial statements stop arriving in a timely manner.
More information about identity theft and how to avoid it can be found at:
Pennsylvania Identity Theft website:
www.IdentityTheftActionPlan.com
Opt-out from Pre-screened Credit Cards
Federal Trade Commission:

877-ID-THEFT (toll-free number to file complaints) www.ftc.gov/idtheft
The three primary credit bureaus have a process to tell pre-screened card issuers that an addressee wants to be eliminated from their mailing lists. Consumers can pre-empt a significant portion of the threat of identity theft with a toll-free call to 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-5678688). The call will trigger the bureaus to notify pre-screened card issuers to eliminate that person from their rolls.
Pa. Attorney Generals Office Bureau of Consumer Protection

www.attorneygeneral.gov 1-800-441-2555
Identity
theft
Where to Get Help

Credit Reporting Bureaus:
Equifax (www.equifax.com) Report Fraud ............................888-766-0008 Order Credit Report ................ 800-685-1111 Experian (www.experian.com) Report Fraud ............................ 888-397-3742 Order Credit Report ................ 888-397-3742 Trans Union (www.transunion.com) Report Fraud ............................800-680-7289 Order Credit Report ................800-888-4213 Free Credit Reports Order online at www.annualcreditreport. com or call 1-877-322-8228. Social Security Administration Report Fraud ............................800-269-0271 Report Fraudulent Check Use Chexsystems.............................800-428-9623 Certegy Inc ............................... 800-237-4851 SCAN........................................... 800-262-7771 TeleCheck ..................................800-710-9898
State Representative
Compliments of
Jesse White
Capitol offiCe: 102B East Wing P.O. Box 202046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046 Phone: (717) 783-6437 Fax: (717) 780-4781 DiStRiCt offiCeS: Cecil: 3855 Millers Run Road P.O. Box 285 Cecil, PA 15321 Phone: (724) 746-3677 Fax: (724) 746-3799 Burgettstown: 1425 Burgettstown Plaza #5 Burgettstown, PA 15021 Phone: (724) 947-4422 Fax: (724) 947-5386 Canton Township: 2403 Jefferson Ave. Suite C Washington, PA 15301 Phone: (724) 222-4192 Fax: (724) 222-4194 WeBSite: www.pahouse.com/white
What You Can Do To Avoid This Growing Fraud
lpo.jl.00111
Information in this brochure was adopted, in part, from material produced by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers (www.pacb.org) and used by permission.
nder Pennsylvania law, a person who assumes or uses the identity or identifying information of another person without that persons consent for any unlawful purpose commits identity theft. Identifying information includes a persons name, birth date, photograph, Social Security number, drivers license, credit record or other personal information. Each instance of using someones identity without consent is a separate offense. The first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor; subsequent offenses are third-degree felonies. If the victim is 60 or older, the offense is graded one degree higher. Work is underway in the General Assembly to increase the penalties for identity theft, make it more difficult to obtain unauthorized personal information and to make it easier for a victim to repair a credit record damaged by ID theft. While the incidence of Internet identity theft is growing, you still are more Here are some likely to become tips on how to a victim by more traditional means, avoid becoming such as improperly an identity theft discarding credit card data or other victim and what financial or to do should you personal information. become a victim.
The Problem of Identity Theft

Each year, approximately 1 million Americans are at risk of having their identities stolen, according to government and private sector estimates. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to establish credit, borrow money or even commit crimes in your name. Nearly 9 million Americans were victims of identity theft in the past year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The average victim spends more than $500 and 40 hours in correcting the fraudulent information in his or her credit records.
Use only secure sites when making online purchases. Secure pages begin with https. Pay for online purchases by credit card to assure you get what you paid for and to limit your liability. Safeguard your Social Security number, and check Earnings and Benefits statements annually for fraudulent use.
If You Become a Victim

If you find that you have become a victim of identity theft, immediately take the following actions: File a police report. Contact your credit card issuer. Contact your banker. Notify all of those with whom you have a financial relationship. Tag accounts closed due to fraud, Closed at consumers request. Notify credit bureau fraud units. Establish a password for telephone inquiries on credit card accounts. Place a fraud alert statement on your credit report. Request bi-monthly copies of your credit report until your case is resolved. (Free to fraud victims.) Report check theft to check verification companies. Check post office for unauthorized change of address requests. Follow up contacts with letters and keep copies of all correspondence.
Protect Your Identity

Never respond to unsolicited requests for your Social Security number or other financial data. Cut up any unsolicited credit card sent to you. Make sure account numbers are obliterated. Before discarding, shred credit card and ATM receipts, and any pre-approved credit offers you have received but dont plan to use. Check all credit card and bank statements for accuracy. Avoid easy-to-figure-out access and personal identity (PIN) codes. Obtain a copy of your credit report yearly and check it for accuracy. Consumers can get a free annual credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit-reporting agencies. The reports can be ordered online at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

Identity Theft in Pennsylvania

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Identity Theft in Pennsylvania

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Remain Alert

Opt-out from Pre-screened Credit Cards

Federal Trade Commission:

Pa. Attorney Generals Office Bureau of Consumer Protection

Where to Get Help

What You Can Do To Avoid This Growing Fraud

The Problem of Identity Theft

If You Become a Victim

Protect Your Identity

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