Can You Prevent Credit Bureaus From Giving Out Information About You? Prevent Identity Theft Your Social Security number is the main key to your credit safety. Anyone with your Social Security number (SSN) can easily create a credit nightmare that will take years to resolve. What steps should you take to protect your Social Security number? Never carry documents containing your Social Security number. This includes your Social Security card as well as many insurance cards. Never give your Social Security number to anyone by telephone, even if you make the call. Avoid having your Social Security number used for IDs at work. Request a different number if possible. Avoid using your Social Security number as your drivers license number. Request that your Department of Motor Vehicles use an alternative number; most states will provide one. Do not pre-print or write your Social Security number on your checks. Ensure that those requesting your Social Security number are doing so for legitimate reasons, not merely bureaucratic reasons. Request a copy of your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement at least every three years to make certain the information in the file is correct. Contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to learn how to order this free report. Problems You Can Encounter My wallet was stolen in December 1998. There’s been no end to the problems I’ve faced since then. The thieves used my identity to write checks, use a debit card, open a bank account with a line of credit, open credit accounts with several stores, obtain cell phones and run up huge bills, print fraudulent checks on a personal computer bearing my name, and more. I’ve spent the last two years trying to repair my credit report (a very frustrating process) and have suffered the ill effects of having a marred credit history. I’ve recently been denied a student loan because of inaccurate information on my credit report. From a consumer complaint to the FTC, February 22, 2001 I’m tired of the hours I’ve spent on the phone and all the faxing I’ve had to do. When will it be over? From a consumer complaint to the FTC, March 13, 2001 Tomorrow is Sunday so we won’t get any notices, but I’m not looking forward to Monday’s mail. From a consumer complaint to the FTC, November 13, 2001 How can someone commit identity theft? The Federal Trade Commission explains how identity theft is committed: By co-opting your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. Once identity theft is committed, then what? Once identity thieves fake your identity, they: Open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account. Then, your impostor runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there's a problem. Establish cellular phone service in your name. Open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account. More information is available here about: How to commit identity theft How to prevent identity theft Help for victims of identity theft Back to the main page of Identity Theft Consequences Of Credit Card Fraud What Is Being Done About Identity Theft? How To Access Credit Card Accounts Most Secure Lockable Mailbox Help To Collect Theft Mobile Learn How To Fraud Credit Cards Identity And Theft Identity Theft Credit Cards Commercial Identity Theft Help Identity Theft Victim Copyright © 2004-2011 Robert Sherman