Forgery & Fraud Assistance

Forgery/Fraud Complaint Assistance Information
If you are the victim of a theft of checks, credit cards, social security card, driver’s license, purse or wallet, this information is designed to help you to take action to deal with the problems that could result from the loss of any of these items, or from any resulting identity theft.

If Your Keys Were Taken
Change or re-key whichever locks need to be changed for your protection. Notify the post office if your post office box key was taken.

If Your Checks Or Credit Card Were Taken
Notify your bank or credit card company if you have not already done so, and have them changes the account number. Then call the three credit reporting bureaus to report the loss, and ask them to put a FRAUD ALERT on your account so NO NEW CREDIT will be issued without contacting you. This is especially important if any form of identification was also stolen at the same time.
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
• Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 or www.tuc.com
• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or www.equifax.com

If Your Stolen Checks Or Credit Cards Have Been Used
The merchant or bank where it was presented for payment must report the subsequent use of any of the stolen checks or credit cards to the police. Contact the banks and/or businesses that accepted your checks or cards to notify them of the fraudulent use. Encourage the banks and businesses to pursue charges against any suspect identified. Your bank or credit card company should have you sign an affidavit of check forgery or credit card fraud, and they should reverse all of the checks/charges relating to the fraudulent transactions.

If Your Social Security Card Was Taken
Call the Social Security Administration FRAUD HOTLINE to notify them of the loss and get information on how to get a duplicate card. Also, notify the credit reporting bureaus listed above. Request a copy of a credit report a month or two after the theft to make sure no fraudulent accounts are being opened. 
• S.S.A. Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271 or www.ssa.gov

If Your Drivers License Was Taken
Apply for a new Driver’s License as soon as possible and ask them if anyone has applied for a license since yours was stolen. They can refer you to an investigator. Also notify the credit reporting bureaus and request a credit report after one month.

If New Checks Or Cards Have Been Mailed To A Different Address
Call the U.S. Postal Inspectors about mail being falsely forwarded, and notify the credit reporting bureaus.
• U.S.P.S. Inspection Service: 1-800-372-8347 or www.framed.usps.com/postalinspectors

If Someone Has Stolen Your Identity To Get New Credit
Call the police department and make an Identity Theft complaint. Also, call the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Hotline to notify them and get advise on how to proceed. Notify all three credit-reporting bureaus to put a Fraud Alert on your data and immediately request a credit report. You must then advise the credit bureau and the institution making the entry of any specific fraudulent accounts appearing on that report. That institution should send you an affidavit of account/transaction fraud to sign and return to them.
• FTC ID Theft Hotline: 1-877-438-4338 or www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• To report Fraud to the FTC other than ID Theft call 1-877-382-4357

Other Internet Resources For Advice And Information
• Federal Bureau of Investigation: www.fbi.gov
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: www.privacyrights.org
• PRC-Identity Theft Resources: www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center: www.ifccfbi.gov
• NWCCC Website: www.nw3c.org
• W3C Web Security: www.w3.org/Security
• IAFCI: http://www.iafci.org/pub_awareness1.html
• To remove your identity from the Internet – a deletion form is at www.lexis-nexis.com

Other Phone Resources For Advice And Information
Federal Government Information Center (For Agency Phone Numbers) 1-800-688-9889

What You Can Do To Protect Yourself From Being Victimized Again
Don’t put your D.L. # or SS# on your checks. This makes it easy to get a false ID made.
Don’t carry your social security card or birth certificate copy in your wallet or purse
Keep all credit card receipts safe. Many criminals use numbers off receipts to defraud
Safeguard your PIN#s for all cards/accounts. Do NOT write them on or keep them with the cards.
Shred credit card offers you get in the mail. Thieves steal mail and trash to get these
NEVER give your credit card # out to someone calling you. Make charges only when YOU call, and remember, Card Fraud Investigators will NEVER call and ask you for your # and expiration date.

The Good News
You are not responsible for monetary losses. The banks and credit card companies must refund your money losses (if any), although they may hold your money while they are conducting an investigation in the case. Some can charge you up to $50 per account but most do not.

Please call 667-2168 If you have any questions.