Faith and Climate Information Added to Website
Identity Theft Resources
Kudos Violet Gallagher and Penn McCullogh for compiling these extensive resources. Why should you read these resources? 1 in 3 people will experience ID theft. Use a crosscut shredder to shread personal information. When working online with sensitive material, like banking or ordering with a credit card, use reputable sites with "https:" encrypted with a lock icon. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software as well as a firewall to protect your home computer. Look for programs that update automatically. Change your passwords at least every 6 months. To protect your laptop avoid using public wireless hot spots. Never open an attachment or link sent to you by an unknown person. Avoid applying for a credit card on the spot at a retail store check out register. Such information, likely to be handled by several individuals within the store, will not be secure. Avoid giving any personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call and know you are talking with a reputal organization. There are many phone scams. Read below for further identity theft info. You may also be interested in reading the LAN Opt Out link at the bottom of this page.
Prevention and Recovery Info
Federal Trade Commission: Deter · Detect · Avoid ID Theft
Fighting Back Against ID Theft - tri-fold brochure
Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft (PDF 4.9MB)
Identity Crisis... What to Do If Your Identity is Stolen, 7-page guide, with forms and resources
Pennsylvania’s Security Freeze Law, from Consumers Union
Security Freeze Information - 8-page guide to freezing/unfreezing your credit files
Pennsylvania’s Attorney General
New Mexico’s Attorney General
Identity Theft Prevention and Repair Kit - 32-page booklet with helpful general info
NB: NM and PA laws differ. Use PA guidelines for dealing with reporting theft, security freezes, etc.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Online Brokerage Accounts: What You Can Do to Safeguard Your Money and Your Personal Information
Social Security Administration
Social Security Benefit Publications
Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number
Social Security Numbers for Children
OnGuardOnline
Practical tips to help you guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. The FTC maintains OnGuardOnline in partnership with other government entities— Homeland Security, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Commerce, SEC. Main website
IDENTITY THEFT: What To Do If Your Personal Information Has Been Compromised
Identity Theft Resource Center ITRC
“ITRC is a nonprofit, nationally respected organization dedicated exclusively to the understanding and prevention of identity theft. The ITRC provides consumer and victim support as well as public education. The ITRC also advises governmental agencies, legislators, law enforcement, and businesses about the evolving and growing problem of identity theft.” Main website
ID Theft Test: Are You at Risk for Identity Theft? How Savvy Are You?
TransUnion
Credit Fraud Prevention Toolkit - tri-fold brochure
TrueCredit (TransUnion) Fraud Resolution Worksheet
Credit Monitoring and Recovery Services
Private companies, decide if any of their products are appropriate for you. Various levels of service for various prices. Read Credit Reporting Firms in next section to learn how to access free credit reports.
LifeLock
Equifax
Experian
TransUnion
Credit Reporting Firms
FTC Facts for Consumers: Your Access to Free Credit Reports
FACTA, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, requires each of the three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, to provide consumers with a copy of their credit report every 12 months, via this centralized service. This is the only legitimate, no-strings way to get your free credit reports. Offers for free reports elsewhere, including the reporting agencies themselves, may be teasers for fee services. AnnualCreditReport.com can process requests via the Internet, mail, or phone.
- Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
- 877-322-8228
- Reporting forms
| Equifax |
Experian |
Transunion |
| PO Box 740241 | PO Box 9701 | PO Box 6790 |
| Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 | Allen, TX 75013-0949 | Fullerton, CA 92834 |
| 800.525.6285 | 888.397.3742 | 800.680.7289 |
Scams and Stories
Anti-Phishing Working Group Detailed information on phishing scams. Also accepts reports of phishing attempts. Main website.
Identity Theft Resource Center ITRC
Snopes
Snopes is the first site to check when you are trying to verify a warning about an internet security breach or virus, a suspected hoax, or an "urban legend."
Filing Complaints
FTC’s Identity Theft Complaint Input Form
FBI/FTC's Internet Fraud Task Force
America UnChained in downtown Lewisburg
