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PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT

LEARN ABOUT NEW YORK STATE'S NEW CREDIT FREEZE LAW 
A new law sponsored by Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) enables New York State consumers to block access to their credit report. The new law strengthens the available identity theft protections enjoyed by New Yorkers and severely limit the ability of identity thieves to open fraudulent accounts in the name of innocent consumers.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE NEW CREDIT FREEZE LAW AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENITY THEFT

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GET YOUR FREE CREDIT REPORT!

Due to a change in federal law, each of the major nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) must supply you with a free copy of your credit report once every twelve months.

This report is record of all your financial dealings, including loans, credit cards and mortgages. Reviewing it will allow you to see all the action that has occurred under your name and allow to spot inaccuracies and possible fraud.

Reviewing your credit history is one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft, so please make sure you take advantage of this new opportunity.

ORDER YOUR FREE CREDIT REPORT TODAY:

*By phone: call 1-877-322-8228

*By mail: please CLICK HERE to access the request form. Once you have completed filling out the form, mail it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta GA 30348-5281

*On the Web: order online by CLICKING HERE.

IMPORTANT LINKS

     CREDIT BUREAUS

* Equifax To order your report, call: 1-800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241. To report fraud, call: 1-800-525-6285 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.

* Experian To order your report, call 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742). To report fraud, call 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742).

* TransUnion To order your report, call 1-800-916-8800. To report fraud, call 1-800-680-7289.


FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION’S IDENTITY THEFT INFORMATION

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF NEW YORK’S IDENTITY THEFT WEBSITE

ONGUARDONLINE provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information.

ON GUARD ON LINE’S IDENTITY THEFT QUIZ

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING IDENTITY THEFT -

The best way to prevent the theft of personal information is to be aware of how these crimes are committed. The followingthe identity theftlaws and gives tips on how to minimize your risk, as well as what steps to take if your identity is stolen.

MINIMIZE YOUR RISK OF ID THEFT

It's not just pick-pockets who steal your credit cards and money anymore. Advances in computer technology have made it possible for ID thieves to ruin your credit and tarnish your good name with a couple of clicks of a mouse. Below are tips to protect yourself and your family:

DOs and DON'TS

DO guard your computer password and use only secure lines to transmit financial information via the Internet. Look for an unbroken key or lock in the corner of your computer screen to signify a secure connection.

DO ask why a merchant needs private information, how it will be used and secured, and whether it will be shared with others. Ask if you can choose to have it kept confidential.

DO know the privacy policies of businesses with which you deal and websites that you visit.

DO register for NYS's "Do Not Call" Registry to reduce the possibility of telemarketing fraud.

DO talk about privacy concerns with your children. Everyone should understand the importance of protecting personal information.

DO ask about information security procedures in your workplace. Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that records are kept in a secure location. Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well.

DO guard your mail and trash from theft. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox and deposit outgoing mail in official post office boxes. Tear or shred documents that contain personal information before depositing in the trash.

DON'T give credit card, debit card or bank account information over the Internet or phone, unless you've initiated the contact and/or you are dealing with an established business that you know.

DON'T give your Social Security number (SSN) to anyone, except your employer, government agencies, lenders and credit bureaus. It's all a privacy pirate needs to steal your identity; also, don't carry your SSN card.

DON'T provide personal information to merchants or sales clerks that isn't required.

DON'T reply to "spam", which is unwanted email messages that clutter up your computer in-box and slow your connection to the Internet. That tells a spammer that your e-mail address is active. Instead, notify your Internet provider of the offender.

DON'T use obvious, easy-to-guess passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using your mother's maiden name, your birth date or the last four digits of your SSN.

IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM OF ID THEFT

If you become a victim, call 1-877-IDTHEFT to get a copy of the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Affidavit form. This affidavit will help you report information to many companies using just one standard form, simplifying the process.

It is also important to report the fraud to the following organizations:

1. Each of the three national credit bureaus (listed above). Ask each agency to place a "fraud alert" on your credit report, and send you a copy of your credit file.

2. The fraud department at each creditor, bank, or utility/service that provided the identity thief with unauthorized credit, goods or services.

3. Your local police department. Ask the officer to take a report and give you a copy of the report. Sending a copy of your police report to financial institutions can speed up the process of absolving you of wrongful debts or removing inaccurate information from your credit reports. If you can't get a copy, at least get the number of the report.

4. The Federal Trade Commission, which maintains the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse and provides information to identity theft victims. You can visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or call toll free 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338).

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TO SEND AN EMAIL TO SENATOR FLANAGAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES FROM SENATOR FLANAGAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

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