Identity Theft Customer Assistance Guidelines

Keep a written record (date, time, and contact) of your conversations, correspondence, and all steps you have taken to report fraudulent use of your identity. Place documentation in a safe place for reference.

Report to the Credit Bureaus that you believe you are an identity theft victim, and request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file, as well as a victim's statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. This can help to prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name.

Request copies of your credit reports

Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of the report if your report is inaccurate because of fraud. Massachusetts' residents may obtain a complimentary copy of their credit reports annually. Be sure to order one annually.

Follow-up in writing-The Fair Credit Billing Act requires written communication to resolve errors on credit billing statements, including charges that you have not made. Send your letter by certified mail, and request a return receipt to document what the credit bureau received and when.

For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security department of the appropriate creditor(s) or bank. Close these accounts. Put passwords (not your mother's maiden name or social security number) on any new accounts you open.

File a report with your local police and/or the police in the community where the identity theft occurred. You should keep a copy of this report in case the bank(s) or creditor(s) needs proof of the crime.

Contact the ID theft Clearinghouse (Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Response Center) to report the theft.

Counselors will take your complaint and advise you on how to deal with the credit-related problems that could result from ID theft.

Identity Theft Clearinghouse:
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20580

On-line: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

You should obtain and review the FTC's ID Theft publication, "When Bad Things Happen to Your Name" by accessing the FTC's website at: www.ftc.gov. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, or someone is trying to obtain a Driver's License using your name or Social Security Number, report it to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/ or 617-351-4500.

Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) if appropriate to your situation

Any direct allegations that an SSN has been stolen or misused, should be reported to the SSA

SSA Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235

Contact your State Attorney General's Office

Many states and local governments have passed laws related to identity theft; Massachusetts has such laws. In Massachusetts, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Information Section at 617-727-8400.

Direct Marketing To remove your name from many national direct mail lists write to:

DMA Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

To avoid unwanted telephone calls from many national marketers, send your name, address, and telephone number to:

DMA Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014