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Identity Theft Information
 

This packet will provide victims with a list of resources and instructions when dealing with an identity theft situation.  The Webster Police Department will assist victims associated with this crime, but unfortunately, the victims themselves are burdened with resolving their own credit problems.  Victims of identity theft must act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage to their good name and credit history.

When dealing with the authorities and financial institutions, try to keep a log of all your conversations, including dates, times, names, and phone numbers.  In this packet, there will be a worksheet for your convenience when logging this contact information.  There will also be an ID theft affidavit supplied by the Federal Trade Commission, which has been adapted by all financial and credit institutions when filing fraudulent activities to your personal accounts. 

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact the Webster Police Departments Bureau of Criminal Investigations and a detective will try to answer questions regarding your case.

(508) 943-1212

If you find that you're a victim of identity theft, the Webster Police Department immediately urges you to take the following steps:

  1. Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus and report the theft.  Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.

·         Equifax:                     1-800-525-6285                      www.equifax.com

·         Experian:                   1-888-397-3742                      www.experian.com

·         Trans Union:             1-800-680-7289                     www.transunion.com

  1. For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security department of the appropriate creditor or financial institution.  Close these accounts and put passwords (not your mother's maiden name or Social Security number) on any new accounts you open.
  1. To report fraudulent use of your personal checks, contact the following national checking agencies:

·         CheckRite:                             1-800-766-2748

·         Chexsystems:                         1-800-428-9623

·         CrossCheck:                          1-800-843-0760

·         Certigy/Equifax:                   1-800-437-5120

·         International Check:             1-800-526-5380

·         SCAN:                                    1-800-262-7771

·         TeleCheck:                             1-800-710-9898

  1. You must file a report with your local police department or the police department where the identity theft took place.  Get the report number or a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime later.
  1. Call the ID Theft Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) to report the theft.  Counselors will take your complaint and advise you on how to deal with the credit-related problems that could result from ID theft.  The Identity Theft Hotline gives you one place to report the theft to the federal government and receive helpful information.

For more information, the following (non-profit) websites are great resources on identity theft:

Ø  Federal Trade Commission              www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Ø  Identity Theft Resource Center       www.idtheftcenter.org

Ø  Privacy Rights Clearinghouse                      www.privacyrights.org

Ø  Social Security Online                       www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm

Ø  U.S. Postal Inspection Service          www.usps.com/postalinspectors

Click Here for an Identity Theft Worksheet