Department Information
Detective Unit
Identity Theft Information
Telephone Numbers
- Federal Trade Commission Hotline (877) IDT-HEFT or (877) 438-4338
- Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline (800) 269-0271
- Office of the Attorney General of Illinois (800) 386-5438
- Credit Bureau: Equifax (800) 525-6285
- Credit Bureau: Experian (888) 397-3742
- Credit Bureau: Trans Union (800) 680-7289
Action to take if your credit has been compromised:
- Notify each of the organizations above of potential or fraudulent
activity concerning your credit.
- Ask for a "Hawk" or "Fraud" Alert to
be placed on your credit card file so that you will be notified
each time someone requests a check on your credit rating. You
will also be alerted to possible use of your information for
fraud purposes in the future.
- Ask for a copy of your credit report. After reviewing your
credit report, contact all banks and credit card companies where
fraudulent credit has been established.
- File affidavits of forgery with all banks and creditors where
credit has been established.
- Attempt to file a police report with the law enforcement agency
that has jurisdiction. It is important to contact the agency
where the crime occurred to make the report.
- Request copies of your credit report every six months until
your credit is clear.
Precautions a person can take to avoid having their credit compromised:
- Do not throw away credit card statements, bank statements, credit
reports, or any other documents with personal information on
them. Shred all documents with personal data/account information
on it.
- Do not give out your Social Security number if at all possible
(substitute your Driver's License number, if necessary).
- Think carefully before giving any information over the Internet.
- Do not put your Social Security number on your Driver's License.
- Place a "Hawk" or "Fraud" alert on your
credit files with the three credit bureau's and request that
you be contacted each time an inquiry is made on your credit
report.
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