ID Theft - Deter, Detect, Defend

What is Identity Theft? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says "Identify theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. 

The FTC offers tips for consumers in their brochure "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft" on ways to "DETER, DETECT and DEFEND" themselves against ID Theft. 

(1) DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information (such as shredding financial documents before throwing them away and not giving out your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary).

(2) DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements. Watch for bills that do not arrive as expected or unexpected bills. Check your credit report by visiting https://www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by Equifax Experian and TransUnion, to order your free credit reports each year. You also can write: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

(3) DEFEND against ID theft as soon as you suspect it by placing a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports, close any accounts opened fraudulently, file a report with the police department and file a complaint with the FTC.

The FTC has additional information on ID Theft or you can file an ID Theft complaint go to FTC's Identity Theft Site http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.

In addition to being able to put a "Fraud Alert" on your credit report, the credit reporting agencies also allow consumers provide for "Credit Freezes" which allow you to block the informtion on your credit report from potential creditors - this means your file cannot be shared with potential creditors - but can also help prevent ID Theft.  In Maryland, Effective January 1, 2008 a new law took effect requiring the credit reporting agencies not to charge more than $5 per credit freeze.  For additional information see the Maryland Attorney General's brochure "Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You."

If you have additional questions about ID Theft or other consumer issues, please contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (240) 777-3636.