PREVENTATIVE ACTION

  • Promptly remove mail from your mailbox.
  • Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes.
  • Don’t give out personal information over the phone.
  • Shred pre-approved credit applications.
  • Empty your purse/wallet of extra credit cards and ID.
  • Maintain a list of your credit cards and contact information.
  • Order your credit report once a year.
  • Don’t leave receipts at bank machines or gas pumps.
  • Memorize passwords and social security numbers.
  • Sign all credit cards upon receipt.
  • Match credit card receipts against monthly billing statements.
  • Be aware of normal receipt times of monthly financial statements.
  • Notify credit card companies and banks in advance of changes of address.
  • Don’t loan credit cards to anyone.
  • Don’t write credit card numbers on postcards or on the outside of an envelope.
  • Report all lost and stolen credit cards immediately.
  • Monitor credit card expiration dates, watch for the arrival of new cards.
  • Beware of mail or telephone solicitors offering instant prizes trying to obtain credit card numbers.
  • Use caution when disclosing personal financial data on the internet. Make certain you see a “secured authentication” key from your provider.
  • When you subscribe to an on-line service, you may be asked to give credit card information. When you enter an interactive service site, beware of con artists who may ask you to confirm your enrollment service by disclosing passwords and credit card numbers. Don’t give them out!

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear (Creditor Name/Collection Agency Name):

On (date), I received your letter demanding payment of ($$ amount). I did not open this account and incur this unpaid balance. Someone, other than me, wrongfully used my personal information to obtain a line of credit/service. Your company extended a line of credit/service to someone, other than me. Your company is a victim and should file a police report in the appropriate jurisdiction.

You are hereby notified that on (date), I filed an Identity Theft report with the Oakwood Police Department. The case # is (insert report #), a copy of which can be obtained by contacting the Oakwood Police Department’s Record Section at 937-298-2122.

Sincerely,

(Name and address)

City of Oakwood

30 Park Avenue

Dayton, OH 45419

Phone: 937-298-2122

Fax: 937-297-2907

Oakwood Public Safety Police Fire EMS 1908 Emblem

Identity Theft

Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone’s identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother’s maiden name, in order to impersonate them. The information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim’s bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards, social security benefits, renting apartments and establishing services with utility and phone companies.