Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if someone else is arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime using my name?
How can I place a fraud alert on my credit report?
How can I contact the three Credit Reporting Agencies?
As an identity theft victim, should I file a police report?
How do I order my free credit reports from the three credit reporting agencies?
Should I monitor my child’s credit report?
How do I protect my Social Security Number?
What identity theft tips should I keep in mind when traveling?
What should I do to protect myself against identity theft if my wallet or purse is lost or stolen?
How do I know that I am a victim of identity theft?
What is considered your identity?
What is identity theft?
Identity theft is the act of deliberately and illegally taking another
individual’s personal identifying information (PII), generally for the
purpose of performing a fraudulent act such as gaining access to that
person’s finances, or to commit an offense or a crime.
What does WOMPLE stand for?
Ways Of Making People’s Lives Easier
Womple, LLC’s goal is to identify ways of making people’s lives easier by providing them with the information and tools they need to protect themselves from the crime of identity theft.
Womple, LLC’s goal is to identify ways of making people’s lives easier by providing them with the information and tools they need to protect themselves from the crime of identity theft.
What should I do if someone else is arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime using my name?
1. Contact the arresting law enforcement agency and file an impersonation report.
2. Contact the court agency that issued the warrant for the arrest and schedule an "identity hearing" with the goal of obtaining a “determination of factual innocence”.
3. Once the court makes a decision that you did not commit the crime, you will be issued a "certificate of clearance" letter.
4. Carry a copy of the “certificate of clearance” letter at all times.
5. If all else fails, contact an attorney who specializes in identity theft cases.
2. Contact the court agency that issued the warrant for the arrest and schedule an "identity hearing" with the goal of obtaining a “determination of factual innocence”.
3. Once the court makes a decision that you did not commit the crime, you will be issued a "certificate of clearance" letter.
4. Carry a copy of the “certificate of clearance” letter at all times.
5. If all else fails, contact an attorney who specializes in identity theft cases.
How can I place a fraud alert on my credit report?
Contact all three credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and
TransUnion) automated system to notify them that you are at risk of
being a victim of identity theft. The alert will remain in effect for
90 days. If you have evidence of actual or attempted identity theft
and have filed a police report, you can extend the alert for 7 years.
You can also call back after the 90 days have expired and place another
alert on your account. A fraud alert means that your file will be
flagged requiring creditors to call you or otherwise verify your
identity before issuing new credit.
What is a “security freeze”?
A security freeze means you can lock your credit file to prevent
potential creditors, insurance companies, or employers from checking
your credit file without your consent. This is a great method of
preventing identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
How can I contact the three Credit Reporting Agencies?
TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
Phone: 800-680-7289
Fax: 714-447-6034
Equifax
Consumer Fraud Division
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Phone: 800-525-6285 or: 404-885-8000
Fax: 770-375-2821
Experian
Experian National Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
Phone: 888-397-3742
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
Phone: 800-680-7289
Fax: 714-447-6034
Equifax
Consumer Fraud Division
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Phone: 800-525-6285 or: 404-885-8000
Fax: 770-375-2821
Experian
Experian National Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
Phone: 888-397-3742
As an identity theft victim, should I file a police report?
Absolutely! Filing an identity theft police report is critical to
regaining your credit worthiness and good name. It’s one of the first
things you should do after becoming a victim of identity theft. You
will need this report to validate and document that you are a victim of
identity theft with creditors.
How do I order my free credit reports from the three credit reporting agencies?
To Request your Credit Report by Phone:
Call 1-877-322-8228
A simple verification process via telephone is required.
To Request your Credit Report by Mail:
Download the request form (You need an Adobe viewer to view the requested form. Download the free Adobe viewer)
Print and complete the form and mail to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
To Request your Credit Report Online:
Go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com
Call 1-877-322-8228
A simple verification process via telephone is required.
To Request your Credit Report by Mail:
Download the request form (You need an Adobe viewer to view the requested form. Download the free Adobe viewer)
Print and complete the form and mail to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
To Request your Credit Report Online:
Go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com
Should I monitor my child’s credit report?
The three credit reporting agencies recommend that you should not
automatically check your child's credit report annually, unless you
have an indication of a problem. Normally, a child should not have a
credit report. The exception is when someone applies for credit using
your child's social security number.
How do I protect my Social Security Number?
1. Never give your SSN to someone over the phone or respond to an email message asking for your social security number.
2. Don’t write your SSN on checks when paying bills or making a purchase.
3. If your driver’s license number is the same as your SSN, request your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) change it immediately.
4. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or purse.
2. Don’t write your SSN on checks when paying bills or making a purchase.
3. If your driver’s license number is the same as your SSN, request your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) change it immediately.
4. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or purse.
What identity theft tips should I keep in mind when traveling?
1. Stop newspaper and other deliveries until you return.
2. Carry photocopies of all travel documents including plane tickets, hotel reservations and passports. Keep these in a separate location from the originals.
3. Don’t carry anything in your wallet that is not absolutely necessary.
4. Put your mail on “postal hold” and have it held at the post office.
5. Lock up all valuables in room or hotel safes while you are out of your room.
6. Carry a copy of your credit cards customer service number (listed on the back of the card).
2. Carry photocopies of all travel documents including plane tickets, hotel reservations and passports. Keep these in a separate location from the originals.
3. Don’t carry anything in your wallet that is not absolutely necessary.
4. Put your mail on “postal hold” and have it held at the post office.
5. Lock up all valuables in room or hotel safes while you are out of your room.
6. Carry a copy of your credit cards customer service number (listed on the back of the card).
What should I do to protect myself against identity theft if my wallet or purse is lost or stolen?
1. Place a 90-day fraud alert with the three credit reporting agencies.
2. Monitor your credit reports.
3. Contact your credit issuers and close any fraudulent accounts.
4. If you have evidence of actual or attempted identity theft, file a police report. Once you have the report, you can extend the 90 day fraud alert to 7 years.
5. Consider placing a “security freeze” on your credit file.
6. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-438-4338.
2. Monitor your credit reports.
3. Contact your credit issuers and close any fraudulent accounts.
4. If you have evidence of actual or attempted identity theft, file a police report. Once you have the report, you can extend the 90 day fraud alert to 7 years.
5. Consider placing a “security freeze” on your credit file.
6. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-438-4338.
How do I know that I am a victim of identity theft?
• Statements not arriving in your mail on time
• New accounts listed in your credit file
• Erroneous information listed in your credit file
• Statements from cards you do not own
• Statements for unknown purchases
• Debt collectors calling about fraudulent delinquent accounts in your name
• Denied credit or loans
• Unauthorized withdrawals from your bank accounts
• Cancelled checks that don’t match your check register
• The police arrive at your door with an arrest warrant
• New accounts listed in your credit file
• Erroneous information listed in your credit file
• Statements from cards you do not own
• Statements for unknown purchases
• Debt collectors calling about fraudulent delinquent accounts in your name
• Denied credit or loans
• Unauthorized withdrawals from your bank accounts
• Cancelled checks that don’t match your check register
• The police arrive at your door with an arrest warrant
What is considered your identity?
• Full name
• Social Security number
• Bank account numbers
• Date of birth
• Addresses
• Mother’s maiden name
• ATM PIN number
• Credit card numbers
• Driver’s license number
• Telephone numbers
• Email addresses
• Medical information
• Social Security number
• Bank account numbers
• Date of birth
• Addresses
• Mother’s maiden name
• ATM PIN number
• Credit card numbers
• Driver’s license number
• Telephone numbers
• Email addresses
• Medical information
