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Identity Theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information to
commit fraud or theft. Personal Information can include your name, date of
birth, social security number, driver's license number, address and financial
account numbers.
- Minimize the amount of items with personal information in your wallet,
purse or vehicle. Carry them separate from your purse or wallet. Maybe
hidden inside your cell phone carrying case.
- Check your mail everyday.
- Shred any documents with your personal information including pre
approved credit card applications. To stop pre approved credit cards call:
1-888-567-8688.
- Be aware of telephone, Internet, or door to door solicitations which
claim to be legitimate entities in order to gain your confidence then
manipulate you to obtain your personal information. Make it a policy not to
buy or agree to anything that was solicited. Confirm emails, telephone calls
and SPAM from banks and other companies who solicit information from you by
calling the telephone number on your billing statements.
- Lock up your financial documents, credit cards, and blank checkbooks in
your residence. Include photocopies of your credit cards, id. etc.
- Pay attention to billing cycles for statements that do not arrive in the
mail. Personal checks should be picked up at the bank.
- Use a secure Internet connection online when entering and transmitting
personal information.
- Be reluctant to register with websites that request your personal
information.
- If you have been a victim of identity theft, consider getting a fraud
alert or credit freeze.
CSC 1-800-759-5979, Trans Union 1-800-680-7289, Experian 1-388-397- 3742.
Federal Trade Commission 1-877-438-4338,
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.
- To file a complaint against a utility, Public Utility Commission/Texas
1-888-782- 8477.
To make an I.D. Theft Offense, 214-744-4444. DPD Forgery Unit 214-671-3543.
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