Identity theft is considered to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the country, affecting approximately 9-10 million Americans each year.  While new laws are being passed in an effort to stem the tide of ID theft, consumers need to take steps to protect themselves.

What is your identity?

Safeguarding your information:

• Guard your social security number — Never carry your social security card with you and don’t use your social security number as a PIN or password if you can avoid it.
  
  

• Check your wallet and limit the number of identification cards you carry — Never carry your birth certificate or passport, unless necessary. Many medical cards contain your social security number, if you don’t need it, don’t carry it with you. Carry only the credit cards you plan to use.
  

• Shred, shred, shred — Shred bills, receipts, credit card offers, and any other items that contain personal or financial information – such as bank statements.
  
  

• Protect your mail — If you’re going to be out of town have the Post Office hold your mail or ask someone to pick it up. Place outgoing mail in an official mailbox not your own.
  
  

• Never give out your personal information — Legitimate companies or agencies don’t call or email asking for personal information like account, credit card or social security numbers. Never give out personal information unless you initiated the contact.
  
  

• Sign up for Wisconsin’s No Call List — Register your phone number with the Wisconsin No Call Program to limit the number of calls you receive from telemarketers by calling 1-866-9NO-CALL (866-966-2255) or online at nocall.wisconsin.gov.
  
  

• Stop pre-approved credit card offers — Stop pre-approved credit card offers by calling toll-free to 1-888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688) or visiting the Opt Out website at www.optoutprescreen.com.
  
  

• Check your bills and bank statements — Look at your statements as soon as you get them to see if there are any unauthorized charges or withdrawals. If there are, report them right away.
  
  

• Keep a list of all credit cards and bank accounts — Keep a list of all account numbers, phone numbers and expiration dates in a safe place.
  
  

• Pay attention to internet security — Make certain you have firewall and virus and spyware protection on your computer. Check your browser security settings to make certain they aren’t too low.
  
  

• Check your credit report regularly — Obtain your credit report FREE from each of the three (3) major credit reporting agencies each year. Checking your report regularly is one of the best ways to protect against ID theft. You can get your free credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion by calling 1-877-322-8228 or online at www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp.
  
  

• Be aware of your environment — Individuals lingering around can listen to conversations and obtain personal information. When making reservations with a credit card take notice to be sure no one can overhear your conversation.
  
  

• Keep sensitive documents in a safe place — Repairmen and visitors can easily gain access to personal information if it’s left in plain view.
  
  

If it happens to you:

No matter how many precautions you take, identity theft can still happen to you.  If it does, you can take steps to stop it from happening again and to resolve the problems it has caused. 

• Notify  the credit reporting agencies — Report the theft to each of the three major credit reporting agencies immediately and ask them to place a fraud alert on your report.  The fraud alert will be active for 90 days.  A fraud alert can be renewed every 90 days for seven years.  A fraud alert notifies creditors if an attempt to open an account in your name occurs.  You may not necessarily be notified.

Equifax (CSC Credit Services)
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
888-766-0008 or TDD: 800-255-0056
www.equifax.com

Experian
PO Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742 or TDD: 888-397-3742
www.experian.com/fraud

TransUnion
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
800-680-7289 or TDD: 877-553-7803
www.transunion.com

• Contact your creditors — If an identity thief has used a credit card, or has opened a new account or credit card in your name, contact the creditor and explain what happened as soon as possible.  Close all your accounts and open new ones.

• Put a security freeze on your credit report — A “freeze” is stronger than a “fraud alert” because it remains in place until you release it and requires that you be alerted if an account in your name is requested.  The freeze must be requested in writing to each of the three credit reporting agencies and you may need to pay a small fee.  Since you can get a “fraud alert” by phone, take that step first, followed up with a “freeze” request.

• Report the theft to the police — Your local police department is required to prepare a report of identity theft even if the theft might have occurred at some other place.  Get a copy of the report for yourself.  A police report can allow you to place a freeze on your credit report at no charge.

• File an identity theft complaint with the Office of Privacy Protection (OPP) — The OPP can help you take the steps you need to resolve problems caused by identity theft.  You can file an identity theft complaint by calling and requesting a complaint form at 1-800-422-7128 or obtain one online at www.privacy.wi.gov.

• Contact your bank — Let your bank know your identity has been stolen even if the thief has not used your bank accounts or ATM/debit card.  Consider closing and reopening new accounts with new numbers and obtaining new ATM/debit card with a new PIN.  Ask your bank if you can place a password on your accounts.

• If a debt collector contacts you — If a debt collector calls, explain that you are the victim of identity theft and that the bill they are trying to collect was not incurred by you and ask for any forms you need to fill out to show proof.

• If an identity thief establishes phone or utility service in your name —Contact the utility or phone company and follow the same process described for if a debt collector contacts you.

• If you are accused of a crime committed in your name — Explain to the police that your identity has been stolen and provide the police with a copy of the police report you filed.

• If your driver's license or ID card is stolen — Contact the Division of Motor Vehicles. 

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
4802 Sheboygan Avenue
PO Box 7910
Madison, WI 53707
608-266-7425
www.dot.state.wi.us

• If your mail was stolen or an identity thief used a false address — Contact the nearest Postal Inspector by calling the Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777.  You can also file a mail theft complaint online at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx.

For more information, or to file a complaint, contact the Office of Privacy Protection:

(800) 422-7128

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
Trade and Consumer Protection
2811 Agriculture Drive
PO Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911

(608) 224-5163

FAX: (608) 224-4677

TTY: (608) 224-5058

E-MAIL:  wisconsinprivacy@datcp.state.wi.us

WEBSITE:  www.privacy.wi.gov