Most Important!
Keep a written record (date, time, and contact) of your conversations,
correspondence, and all steps you have taken to report fraudulent
use of your identity. Place documentation in a safe place for reference.
FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE CONTACT EBSB SECURITY @ 617-567-1500
Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit
bureaus:
Report to the Credit Bureaus that you believe you are an identity theft
victim, and request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file, as
well as a victim's statement asking that creditors call you before opening
any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.
This can help to prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts
in your name.
Request copies of your credit reports.
Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of the report if your report
is inaccurate because of fraud. Massachusetts' residents may obtain
a complimentary copy of their credit reports annually. Be sure to
order one annually.
Follow-up in writing-The Fair Credit Billing Act requires written
communication to resolve errors on credit billing statements, including
charges that you have not made.
Send your letter by certified mail, and request a return receipt
to document what the credit bureau received and when.
For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened,
contact the security department of the appropriate creditor(s) or
bank. Close these accounts. Put passwords (not your mother's maiden
name or social security number) on any new accounts you open.
File a report with your local police and/or the police in the
community where the identity theft occurred. You should keep a copy
of this report in case the bank(s) or creditor(s) needs proof of the
crime.
Contact the ID theft Clearinghouse (Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) Consumer Response Center) to report the theft. Counselors will
take your compliant and advise you on how to deal with the credit-related
problems that could result from ID theft.
You should obtain and review the FTC's ID Theft publication, "When
Bad Things Happen to Your Name" by accessing the FTC's website
at: www.ftc.gov
If you suspect an identity theft obtained or is trying to obtain
a Driver's License using your name or Social Security Number, report
it to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): www.mass.gov/rmv
or 617-351-4500.
Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) if appropriate
to your situation
Any direct allegations that an SSN has been stolen or misused, should
be reported to the SSA
Fraud Hotline:
By phone: 1-800-269-0271
By fax: 1-410-597-0018
By mail: SSA Fraud Hotline P.O. Box 17768 Baltimore, MD 21235
e-mail:oig.hotline@sssa.gov
Contact your State Attorney General's Office
Many states and local governments have passed laws related to identity
theft; Massachusetts has such laws. In Massachusetts, contact the
Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Information Section at 617-727-8400.
Direct Marketing
To remove your name from many national direct mail lists write to:
DMA Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008\
To avoid unwanted telephone calls from many national marketers, send
your name, address, and telephone number to:
DMA Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014
For more information visit: www.the-dma.org.
· Other useful WEB sites:
National DO NOT CALL LIST: www.donotcall.gov
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION: www.fbi.gov
Equal Housing Lender.