Identity theft: credit watching while overseas

  • Published
  • By Jennifer McDaniel
  • USAFE News Service
Identity theft is an increasingly popular crime, claiming nearly 500,000 victims per year in the United States. Thieves steal critical information about their victims. Once identity thieves have a person's information, they can do a number of damaging things, such as applying for additional credit cards or loans, opening bank accounts, setting up telephone services, and going on shopping sprees. Some identity thieves go so far as filing bankruptcy in a victim's name or give the victim's name to police during an arrest.

Documents containing personal information were stolen from the home of a department of Veterans Affairs employee in June. This was the largest unauthorized release of social security numbers in U.S. history. The F.B.I. recovered the computer and through forensic testing, found that had not been accessed since it was stolen. However, this incident should make people aware of how easily someone can steal another person's identity.

There is only one place to get an annual credit report without a fee. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up a central Web site, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address which a person can order their free annual report. The Web site can be found at www.annualcreditreport.com, but is often inaccessible due to the number of visitors. The US-based toll-free phone number (877) 322-8228 is also available, but requires a US-based phone number to verify the caller.

For people stationed overseas, the easiest way to request a free annual credit report is to print and fill out the form at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/include/requestformfinal.pdf. Requesters should then mail the form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. The request will be processed within 15 days of receipt and then mailed to the requester.

Other than reviewing an annual credit report, the Federal Trade Commission recommends the following preventative steps to prevent thieves from gathering personal information:

1. Secure personal records. Ensure personal information is safely secured, especially if a person has roommates or employs outside help.

2. Watch your wallet. Keep wallets or purses in a safe place at work, in public, or even at home.

3. Only carry needed identification cards or credit cards, and keep them in a safe place.

4. Use passwords to protect credit cards, bank and telephone accounts. Use passwords that no one will guess, not a maiden or pet name.

5. Keep social security numbers in a safe place! Before giving it out, make sure the other party is legitimate.

If identity theft is suspected or a person fears he has become a victim, the Federal Trade Commission recommends some steps a person should take:

First, contact the credit bureaus. Call or visit the Web sites of one of the three major credit bureaus and ask that they issue a fraud alert and attach a statement to the credit report.

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

Then, complete the following steps:

1. Review credit reports and make sure all personal information is correct.

2. Call the local police and file a report with them. For overseas personnel, they should contact local security forces or provost marshal.

3. Fill out an identity theft affidavit from the Federal Trade Commission Web site, http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Creditors may allow this affidavit when claiming that a person is not responsible for a new account or transactions on an existing account.

4. Close any accounts that have been accessed fraudulently.

5. Stop any payments on checks if they were stolen or bank accounts opened in your name.

6. Contact the local post office and make sure that no one has changed your address.

7. Contact the Social Security Administration at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/guidelin.htm, or the SSA Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

8. If your passport was stolen, contact the U.S. State Department at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

More information about identity theft and theft prevention can be found at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft or http://www.ftc.gov.