What you can do to protect your good name.

FROM BILL MONTGOMERY MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY

Identity Theft can do serious damage to your credit, your finances and your reputation. To minimize the risk of becoming a target for ID thieves, my office recommends that you follow the tips in this brochure to safeguard your identity. In the event that you become a victim of identity theft, it is important that you act quickly and contact the credit reporting bureaus listed in this brochure as well as local police.

If you have additional questions about Identity Theft, please visit our website:

CrimeFreeAZ.com

Or call the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office at:

General Line: (602) 506-3411

FITE Bureau: (602) 506-7259

Thank you for your support in the fight against Identity Theft. By taking the right steps, we can all make a difference in preventing this crime.

Sincerely,

Bill MontgomeryBill Montgomery, Maricopa County Attorney

IDtheft

stop

Maricopa County Attorney’s Office

IdentityTheft

10 TIPS TO PREVENT CRIMINALS FROM STEALING

YOUR IDENTITY!Shred your documents before throwing them away.

Don’t leave mail in your mail box.

Order free credit reports.

Don’t leave personal information in your car.

Don’t give personal information over the phone or Internet unless you initiate the contact.

Carry only the identification information that you need.

Be wary of promotional scams. Thieves use phony offers to get your personal information.

When ordering new checks, pick them up at the bank. Never allow the bank to mail your checks.

Change passwords often.

Pay attention to your billing cycles. Contact creditors if bills don’t arrive on time.

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FOLLOW UP ON ERRORS WITH CREDIT BUREAUS

It is important to contact each of the three major credit bureaus and make a report when you think your identity has been compromised. After you contact the credit bureaus, contact your local police department to make a report.

EQUIFAX: 1-877-576-5734, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

EXPERIAN: 1-888-397-3742, P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013

TRANSUNION: 1-800-680-7289, P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

FACTS• ID Theft continues to be a widespread crime,

topping the list of consumer complaints to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014.

• Most U.S. households victimized by identity theft experience the illegal use of government documents or benefits.

• Employment-related fraud, credit card fraud and the fraudulent use of government documents are the top three ways Arizona consumers’ information is misused.

• Nationwide, it’s people ages 40-59 years old who are most often victimized.

LIMIT USE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Financial Institutions and credit card companies regularly send out “Privacy Notices” giving customers the opportunity to limit the use of their personal information. Once completed, the customer shouldn’t need to make the request again unless other business transactions follow which may negate the original option.

To “opt out” from receiving firm offers contact:

1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) optoutprescreen.com

To remove your name from direct mail lists and calling lists, send your name, address

and telephone number to: DMA Mail Preference Service

P.O. Box 643 Carmel, NY 10512

To place your name on the “DO NOT CALL” list:

1-888-382-1222 donotcall.gov

To remove your e-mail address from many direct e-mail lists:

dmachoice.org

CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT ANNUALLY

Skilled identity thieves can gain access to your personal information in many different ways and once they get that information they can use it to commit more fraud or theft. You are the one who can act most quickly when you think you have become a victim of identity theft. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies to provide citizens with a free copy of their credit report once every twelve months. Make this request and check your report carefully and regularly for anything that appears to be fraudulent or represents transactions or credit cards that don’t belong to you.

To request a FREE Annual Credit Report: Call: 1-877-322-8228 Website: AnnualCreditReport.com Mail: Central Source LLC P.O. Box 105283 Atlanta, GA 30348-5283

ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT IS TO MONITOR YOUR CREDIT HISTORY!

Free Shred Events:

-January 7th 8am-1pm1703 W Bethany Home Rd.Up to 5 boxesIncluding hard drives

-January 21st 7am-10am14250 W Statler Plaza #103Up to 3 boxesIncluding prescription drugs