Report Identity Theft To Other Organizations
You can also report the theft to other organizations, such as:
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Credit Reporting Agencies – Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit report. Also get copies of your credit reports, to be sure that no one has already tried to get unauthorized credit accounts with your personal information. Confirm that the credit reporting agency will alert the other two credit reporting agencies.
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National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center – Report cases of identity theft due to a stay in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
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Financial Institutions – Contact the fraud department at your bank, credit card issuers and any other places where you have accounts.
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Retailers and Other Companies – Report the crime to companies where the identity thief opened credit accounts or even applied for jobs.
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State Attorney General Offices – Check with your state’s attorney general office for tips, checklists, or an advocate to help you recover from identity theft.
You may need to get new personal records or identification cards if you’re the victim of ID theft. Learn how to replace your vital identification documents after identity theft.
File A Complaint With The Us Federal Trade Commission
You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission using the online complaint form or call the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT TTY: 866-653-4261 or write:Identity Theft Clearinghouse600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWashington, DC 20580
Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.
Reporting To Law Enforcement
File a police report with your local police department. Keep multiple copies for yourself, your creditors, and the three major credit agencies.
While not all identity theft reports can be individually investigated, by reporting to law enforcement you make it possible for investigators to spot trends and patterns and help protect others from identity theft. The written police report will help you as you report identity theft to creditors and credit agencies.
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My Social Security Card Was Lost/stolen What Should I Do
If your Social Security card has been lost or stolen, you need to act immediately! You will need to request a replacement card, but you should also take the proper steps to prevent identity theft. Thieves could use your information to apply for loans, obtain credit cards, or file fraudulent tax returns in your name. You should place a fraud alert on your Social Security number and keep a watch on your credit report. Also be aware of scams that attempt to steal your SSN.
How To Report A Crime In San Francisco
Make the right call!
Dial only in an emergency
It is an emergency if: there is an immediate threat to you or others the crime involves a weapon the crime is in progress or you know the suspects location.
If it is not an emergency, you will get help most quickly by calling our non-emergency line, at for crimes that occurred in San Francisco.
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Measures You Can Take To Prevent Identity Theft
Identity theft happens when a person illegally uses your personal information to commit fraud. Someone illegally using your SSN and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems. But there are several things you should do to prevent identity theft:
- Do not routinely carry your SSN.
- Never say your SSN aloud in public.
- Beware of phishing scams trying to trick you into revealing personal information.
- Create a personal account to help you keep track of your records and identify any suspicious activity.
- Consider adding these blocks to your account with us:
- The eServices block This prevents anyone, including you, from seeing or changing your personal information on the internet. Once we add the block, you or your representative will need to contact your local office to request removal of the block.
- The Direct Deposit Fraud Prevention block This prevents anyone, including you, from enrolling in direct deposit or changing your address or direct deposit information through or a financial institution . Once we add the block, you or your representative will need to contact your local office to request removal of the block. You will need to do the same to make any future changes to direct deposit or contact information.
What Should I Do If My Wallet Is Lost Or Stolen
Protect yourself from identity theft with these 9 steps.
You reach into your purse or pocket and its gone. Youve lost your wallet or worse, its been stolen.
Now what?
After you determine that the wallet is definitely gone and not just hiding in a couch cushion, there are some steps you must take quickly:
First, file a police report to establish a record of your loss. Theyll need to know when it was lost or stolen, what you think happened and what was in the wallet.
If your checkbook disappears, youll need to close that account and reconfigure any direct deposits and auto-payments youve arranged. Make sure your bank alerts the check verification companies to prevent someone using your checks.
Start a call log and list the date, time and people you talk to.
Equifax: 525-6285 or www.equifax.comExperian: 397-3742 or www.experian.comTransUnion: 680-7289 or www.transunion.com
If your Social Security card was in your wallet and now you know why it NEVER should be youll have to call your local Social Security Administration office and explain what happened. They will replace the card for free but youll have to fill out Form SS-5 and present documentation. Your replacement card will have the same number as the original.
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Identity Theft Victim Checklist
This checklist can help identity theft victims clear up their records. It lists the actions most identity theft victims should take to limit the damage done by the thief. For more information, see the Web sites of the Federal Trade Commission at , the Identity Theft Resource Center at www.idtheftcenter.org, and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at www.privacyrights.org
Enter Your Name Into The Identity Theft Data Base
Register your name into the California ID Theft Registry if you have been charged with a crime committed by another person using your stolen identity or if your identity has been mistakenly associated with a record of criminal conviction.
Once confirmed, your information would be entered into the new statewide data base and used to show others that you were actually not responsible for the crime. This information would be available via a toll-free number to the identity theft victim, criminal justice agencies and other individuals and agencies authorized by the victim to see the information.
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S To Take If You’re A Victim Of Identity Theft
If you believe you’re a victim of identity theft, follow these steps:
Request Information On Fraudulent Accounts
When you file your police report of identity theft, the officer may give you forms to use to request account information from credit grantors, utilities or cell phone service companies. If the officer does not do this, you can use the form in our Consumer Information Sheet 3A: Requesting Information on Fraudulent Accounts. When you write to creditors where the thief opened or applied for accounts, send copies of the forms, along with copies of the police report. Give the information you receive from creditors to the officer investigating your case.
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Where To Report Identity Theft
If you believe you have been an identity theft victim, you must take action immediately.
One of the first steps is to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission . The FTC is the national consumer protection agency that will investigate your claim and take action against perpetrators.
You can report identity theft online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338.
Apart from the FTC identity theft report, you should also notify the local police department. So, you should file a report with them as well. In addition, be sure to keep copies of all the reports and documentation, as you may need them in the future.
All in all, by taking quick and decisive action, you can help protect yourself from further harm and bring perpetrators to justice.
Contact Your Credit Card Companies
Credit card fraud is a common form of identity theft, and stolen credit cards are often used quickly. Most credit card companies are wise to this, so they watch for unusual purchases and will alert you if necessary. Furthermore, the Fair Credit Billing Act protects you from being held liable for fraudulent activity.
However, its better to take the steps to prevent unauthorized charges instead of disputing them after theyve already been made. Thats why you should let the companies know that your cards were stolen as soon as you hang up with your primary bank. If you dont report that your credit card was lost or stolen and its fraudulently used, you could be held liable for up to $50 in charges. However, the FCBA protects you from having to pay any more than that.
As your primary bank will likely do, your credit card companies will review your recent transactions with you, put a hold on your cards so that they cant be used, and issue new cards.
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Report Medical Identity Theft
If you believe you have been a victim of medical identity theft, call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-438-4338 and your health insurance companys fraud department. You can create a complaint form with the details of your experience at IdentityTheft.gov to share with them and with law enforcement.
If you suspect that you have been the victim of Medicare fraud, contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General at 1-800-447-8477.
How Do I Report Someone Using My Social Security Number
First, contact the credit reporting agencies and add a fraud alert to your credit report. This will make it more difficult for someone to open new accounts in your name.
Next, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission. You can also file a police report. Finally, contact your Social Security Administration and inform them someone is using your number fraudulently.
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What Types Of Reports Can I File Online
- Damage/Mischief to Motor Vehicle under $10,000.00
- Damage/Mischief to Property under $10,000.00
- Lost Property under $10,000.00
- Theft of Property under $10,000.00
- Theft from Motor Vehicle under $10,000.00
- Supplemental Report
- Driving Complaints Road Watch:- Constant Neighborhood traffic related issues- School bus violations.
Identity Theft: What You Need To Know
Identity theft cases surged in New York State in 2020, inflicting financial losses on individuals and threatening disruption to government programs as well as private financial institutions, according to Federal Trade Commission . Read the May 2021 New York State Comptroller’s report The Increasing Threat of Identity Theft to learn more
Thieves with access to personal information Social Security number, birth certificate, PIN or credit card numbers, even pre-approved credit card solicitations can steal your identity and apply for credit in your name, racking up huge debts without you even knowing that it has happeneduntil its too late. Identity thieves also use individuals personally identifiable information for a variety of other purposes, including fraudulently obtaining medical services, unemployment insurance, prescription drugs or medical insurance coverage. To protect yourself, follow these suggestions:
Safeguard Your Personal Information:
Protect Your Bank Accounts and Your Mail:
Protect Yourself on the Internet and Protect Your Computer:
- If you must use a public computer, confirm first that it is not running a desktop search engine and that the proprietor has denied users administrative privileges so they can’t install any programs that might be used to capture your emails or passwords.
If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft:
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You Can Also Go Online To File A Supplemental Report
File a supplemental report if you want to add information to your original report or to a report that has previously been filed by an SFPD officer. To file a supplemental police report, click on the File a Police Report link above, select the appropriate incident type, follow the prompted questions, and select supplemental report when prompted.
Use the supplemental report method to report:
- Additional property losses from the same crime
- Additional details to describe stolen property, such as a serial number.
When you have finished entering your report, a temporary report will be emailed to you. This report will not be official until it is approved. Once that happens, we will email you an official copy.
What Are The Steps To Reporting Identity Theft
1. Get in touch with the three credit reporting bureaus and add a fraud alert to your credit report.
2. Check your credit reports. Look for unfamiliar account activity, collection notices, and other signs that your information may have been used without your permission.
3. Close the accounts that have been opened fraudulently or tampered with.
4. File a complaint with the FTC. This will help law enforcement officials find and prosecute identity thieves.
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Review Your Credit Reports Carefully
When you receive your credit reports, read them carefully. Look for accounts you dont recognize. Look in the inquiries section for names of creditors from whom you havent requested credit. You may find some inquiries identified as promotional. These occur when a company has gotten your name and address from a credit bureau to send you an offer of credit. Promotional inquiries are not signs of fraud. Also, as a general precaution, look in the personal information section to verify your Social Security number, address and name.
If you find anything you dont understand, call the credit bureau at the telephone number listed on the report. Tell them you want to block, or remove, any information on the report that is the result of identity theft. For more on what to tell the credit bureaus, see the Privacy Rights Clearinghouses Identity Theft: What to Do When It Happens to You.
How Does Identity Theft Occur
Your personally identifying information may be compromisedthrough a variety of methods.
Dumpster Diving – Looking through your garbage for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
Skimming – Skimmers are small electronic devices that can be easily concealed in a pocket and when your credit card is swiped through it, the device reads all of the information encoded on the magnetic strip on your card.
Phishing – Phishing scams are electronic mails sent from what appears to be a legitimate financial institution. They are devised to trick you into sending them account and password information. A common scam would be an email advising you that due to a security issue your bank would like you to confirm or reset your password.
Address Change – Your bills are diverted to another address where they are read or your mail is stolen from your mail box.
Theft – Your personally identifiable information is acquired through the theft of a wallet, purse, home burglary or car burglary.
Pretexting – Your are called or receive a text message from what appears and sounds like a legitimate financial institution in an attempt to trick you into revealing personally identifiable information.
Additional information can be found at:
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How To File A Police Report For Identity Theft: Summary
As weve seen, identity theft can happen in many different ways and to anyone. According to the FTC, 4.8 million identity theft and fraud reports are filed in 2020.
If you think you may be an identity theft victim, taking action as soon as possible is crucial.
We hope this article has been helpful, and you now feel better equipped to handle the situation if your identity is stolen. Remember, the most important thing is to stay calm and collected.
The police report is just one step in a long process, but its an important one. Always report the crime as soon as possible, and dont hesitate to reach out for assistance. Stay safe and remember that cybersecurity is important.