If You Are A Victim Of Identity Theft

If you live in an unincorporated area of Santa Clara County, or live in the cities of Los Altos Hills, Saratoga, or Cupertino, call the Sheriff’s Office immediately and file a police report. Get a copy of your case/police report number should your bank, credit card, or insurance companies need proof of the crime.

Make sure to provide the Deputy all information needed for the case.

• Copies of cashed checks or originals if possible.
• The account numbers of credit cards that were used or illegally obtained.
• Telephone numbers of contacts at the agency in which the criminal activity was initiated.
• Any copies of statements or bills of the used or illegally obtained account.
• Any suspect information provided by the account holder.

Keep a detailed log of all contacts and copies of all documents. Cancel each credit card and charge card. Get new cards with new account numbers. Report the loss to your bank if the bankcard or checking account information may have been stolen. Get a new ATM card, account number, personal identification number (PIN), and password, if applicable.

If you discover that an identity thief has changed the billing address on an existing account, close the account. When you open any new accounts, ask that a password be used before any inquiries or changes are made on the account. Notify the US Postal Inspectors if your mail has been tampered with or stolen. Local numbers are listed under Federal Government in the telephone book or online at
www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect.

IMPORTANT -- Call the fraud departments of the three major credit-reporting agencies. Ask them to put a fraud alert on your credit account and add a victims’ statement to your file requesting that creditors contact you before opening new accounts in your name. Also request the agencies to provide you copies of your credit reports. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts.

• Equifax
  PO Box 14021
  Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241To report fraud call (800) 525-6285
  To order your credit report call (800) 685-1111
  www.equifax.com
• Experian
  PO Box 949
  Allen, Texas 75013-0949
  To report fraud or to order credit reports call (800) 397-3742
  www.experian.com
• TransUnion
  PO Box 390
  Springfield Pennsylvania 19064-0390
  To report fraud call (800) 916-8800
  To order your credit report call (800) 680-7289
  www.transunion.com

Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem. The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. The FTC helps by providing information to help resolve the financial and other problems that could result from identity theft.

• Federal Trade Commission
  1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
  http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

Remember that there are many ways to become a victim of identity theft. It is important to follow the tips provided and learn as much information as possible about identity theft prevention. If you have any questions or would like to receive any further information you can contact Detectives Lundin, Bui, or Rodriguez at 408-808-4500.