Quick Fact Sheets:

1. I received a security breach letter, now what?
2. My wallet was stolen, now what?
3. My checks were stolen and/or used, now what?
4. I gave my info to a scam artist, now what
5. How do I read my credit report?

Fact sheets provided by: Identity Theft Resource Center

Victim Action Steps:

• Download our NEW Identity Theft Victim Toolkit
• Visit Identity Theft Resource Center. (Their website is full of information on identity theft, prevention and victim resources)
• Pull a copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and look for suspicious activity (You are entitled to a FREE report every year from each of the three credit bureaus under federal law)
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
• Consider freezing your credit using security freeze
• File a police report and ask for a copy for your records
• Visit and make a report to the FTC, Federal Trade Commission
• Visit the Nebraska Attorney General's website
• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
• Write down the name of anyone you talk to, what he/she told you, and the date of the conversation
• Follow-up in writing with all contacts you have made about the identity theft on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipt requested, for all correspondence regarding identity theft
• Keep all copies of all correspondence or forms relating to identity theft
• Keep the originals of supporting documentation, like police reports and letters to and from creditors; send copies only
• Keep old files, even if you believe the problem is resolved-If it happens again, you will be glad you did
• Contact us for additional help

Websites and main line phone numbers for credit bureaus:

• Experian www.experian.com 1-888-397-3742
• Equifax www.equifax.com 1-800-525-6285
• TransUnion www.transunion.com 1-800-680-7289

• Right to place a fraud alert with credit bureaus - includes FREE credit report
• Right to obtain documents relating to fraud transactions or accounts opened using your personal information
TIP: If the creditor refuses to provide this information to you, ask them for the address and information needed to obtain these documents and send in a written request via certified mail. They have 30 days to respond to a written request. Reference Section 609 (e) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Right to obtain information from a debt collector regarding a fraudulent debt
• Right to ask credit reporting agencies to block fraud information on your file
• Right to prevent a business from reporting fraud account information to credit bureaus

Prevention Tips:

• Invest in a cross-cut shredder and shred financial and personal information
• Don't carry your Social Security Card in your wallet-Check other cards you carry in your wallet (insurance cards, work ID) to make sure your SSN isn't listed
• Protect your mail: Have the post office hold your mail if you will be out of town, never leave mail in your mailbox overnight and always place outgoing mail in blue USPS collection boxes
• When writing checks use the uni-ball 207 pen (It fuses the ink into the paper so it cannot be erased or dissolved) to help protect from check fraud
• Review your credit reports frequently: You are entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three credit bureaus (This means you can view your credit for FREE every four months) Check out AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Pay attention to your billing cycle: Follow up with creditors if bills do not arrive on time
• Be wary of promotional scams
• Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers online or by calling 1-888-567-8688
• Opt out of direct marketing mailing lists
• Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work

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