MISCELLANEOUS - HOW TO DEAL WITH...

 

Beyond credit reports, bank accounts, credit cards, and debt collectors, you might experience problems related to the theft of your identity that you do not know how to handle.  We prepared a short list of helpful organizations and contacts for situations dealing with:

 

  • Phone and Utilities Fraud
  • Mail Theft or Fraud
  • Social Security Number misuse
  • Driver's License Fraud
  • Passport Theft or Fraud
  • Student Loans
  • Tax Fraud
  • Investment Accounts
  • Clearing False Criminal or Civil Judgments



PHONE AND UTILITIES FRAUD

 

If an identity thief has established phone service in your name, or is making unauthorized calls that seem to come from, and are billed to your cellular phone then contact your service provider immediately to cancel the account.  Open new accounts and choose new PINs.  The same goes for Utility Accounts (Water, Gas, and Electric).  If you are having trouble getting fraudulent charges removed from your account...

 

Minnesota Consumers:  Contact the Minnesota Public Utility Commission for local service at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782.

California Consumers:  Contact the California Public Utilities Commission at 415-703-2782 or 1-800-848-5580.



MAIL THEFT OR FRAUD

 

The USPIS is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service, and investigates cases of identity theft.  The USPIS has primary jurisdiction in all matters infringing on the integrity of the U.S. mail.  If an identity thief has stolen your mail to get new credit cards, bank or credit card statements, pre-screened credit offers, or tax information, or has falsified change-of-address forms or obtained your personal information through a fraud conducted by mail, report it to your local postal inspector.   You can locate the USPIS district office nearest you by calling your local post office, checking the Blue Pages of your telephone directory, or visiting www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect.  You should request that the postal inspector forward all mail in your name to your address.

 

 

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER MISUSE

 

If your social security number has been misused, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and request a copy of your Social Security Statement.  You should follow up with the SSA if you find any fraudulent use of your number that changes your earnings and benefit eligibility. As a final option you may consider changing your social security number if you establish that someone else is using your number.  The Social Security Administration will change your number only if you fit specific criteria.  You can contact the SSA at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig or call toll-free at 1-800-269-0271.

 

 

DRIVER’S LICENSE

 

If you suspect that your name or Social Security Number is being used by an identity thief to get a driver's license or a non-driver's ID card contact...

Minnesota Consumers:  Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles at 651-296-6911.

California Consumers:  California Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-777-0133.

 

 

PASSPORT FRAUD

 

If you have lost your passport, or believe it was stolen or is being used by someone else, then contact the United States Department of State at 1-877-484-2778 or online at www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

 

 

STUDENT LOANS

 

If you believe a student loan was fraudulently obtained in your name, contact the school or program that opened the student loan to report the fraud and close the account.  At the same time, report the fraudulent loan to the U.S. Department of Education.  Call the Inspector General at 1-800-647-8733 or visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/hotline.html.

 

 

TAX FRAUD

 

If you are the victim of tax fraud, contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at www.irs.gov and type in “Identity Theft” for more information.  If you have an unresolved issue related to identity theft, or you have suffered or are about to suffer a significant hardship as a result of the administration of the tax laws, visit the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service website at www.irs.gov/advocate or call toll-free: 1-877-777-4778.

 

 

INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS

 

If you believe that an identity thief has tampered with your securities investments or a brokerage account, immediately report it to your broker or account manager and to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  You can file a complaint with the SEC by visiting the Complaint Center at www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml. You can also write to: SEC Office of Investor Education and Assistance, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0213, or call 202-942-7040.  Be sure to include as much detail as possible and keep copies of complaints and documents you submit.

 

 

CLEARING FALSE CRIMINAL OR CIVIL JUDGMENTS

 

Sometimes identity theft victims are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the impostor.  If a civil judgment has been entered against you for actions taken by the identity thief, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you have been a victim of identity theft. If you are wrongfully prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Request information from the FBI about how to clear your name.

 

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