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Identity Theft
Identify theft is the unauthorized use of another person's personal identifying information to commit financial fraud. Upon obtaining such personal identifiers, identity thieves have the ability to commit financial crimes such as opening phony bank accounts, getting unauthorized credit cards, applying for car or house loans and leasing apartments with a false name. Identity thieves may even develop a criminal record or file bankruptcy in their victim's name. Please find below identity theft prevention tips, as well as steps to take if you become an identity theft victim. For more information, please contact the Police Department at 815-462-6100.
- Don't give out your social security number unless necessary.
- Request your credit report at least once a year and check for any unauthorized activity.
- Shred personal documents before putting them in the refuse/recycling.
- Don't have checks delivered to an unlocked mailbox.
- Don't place mail that contains personal identifiers in an unlocked mailbox.
- Don't carry unnecessary credit cards, your social security card, birth certificate or passport in your wallet or purse except when absolutely necessary.
- Never give out your credit card number or other personal information over the phone unless you have a trusted business relationship with the company, and you initiated the call.
- Carefully review your credit card statements and phone bills for any unauthorized use.
- Immediately contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting bureaus and ask for a credit report so you can identify fraudulent activity. Also ask each bureau to flag your account with a fraud alert to indicate you have been a victim of fraud:
- Equifax: 800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
- TransUnion: 800-680-7289
- Make a report with law enforcement departments within your jurisdiction.
- Contact all creditors with whom your personal identifiers have been used fraudulently by telephone and letter. Enclose a copy of the police report.
- Stop payment on all outstanding checks and cancel your checking and savings accounts. To report fraudulent use of your checks:
- Check Rite: 800-766-2748
- Chexsystems: 800-428-9623
- Cross Check: 707-586-0551
- Equifax: 800-437-5120
- National Processing Co: 800-526-5380
- Scan: 800-262-7777
- Telecheck: 800-710-9898
- If your social security number has been obtained, call the Social Security Administration: 800-269-0271. If someone obtains a driver's license in your name or is using your driver's license number, contact your local Secretary of State Office and ask to put a fraud alert on your license.
- Identity Theft Packet (PDF)
- Fraud Alert FAQ
- Federal Trade Commission: 887-438-4338
- Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
- Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
- Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
- Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
- Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
- Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources. For more information about pretexting, click here.
Social security number, birthdate, driver's license number, mother's maiden name, current and past addresses, credit card numbers, personal identification numbers and access codes, passports, firearms identification cards, employee identification cards.