What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of people’s identifying information in order to impersonate them or utilize their financial resources. With this information, thieves are able to take control over the victims’ financial accounts, use their credit cards, open new bank accounts and cause financial turmoil in their lives.

Crimes such as the theft of credit cards, applying for a loan under another person’s identity, and obtaining immediate credit using the name of another person are all examples of identity theft.

If you have been the victim of identity, you are not alone. There are thousands of identity theft victims in Massachusetts every year.

What is the role of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association?
The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association has worked in partnership with the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Identity Theft and Financial Crimes Task Force headed by the US Postal Inspection Service to standardize the way local police departments address reports of identity theft. The result was a model policy that has been provided to every police chief in Massachusetts.

In addition to the policy, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association is also launching a training initiative aimed at identity theft. Beginning in the fall, regional training seminar will be offered throughout Massachusetts. Instructors from the banking industry and the Identity Theft and Financial Crimes Task Force will provide local police officers with techniques and information concerning the investigation and prevention of identity theft.

How do police departments in Massachusetts handle identity theft?

Most Massachusetts police departments ascribe to a policy drafted by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association in conjunction with the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the US Postal Inspection Service. The basic tenets of the policy are:

* A victim of identity theft can report the crime to their local police department, even if the offense did not actually occur there. Identity theft crosses state and even national borders, and it is extremely important that the theft is reported quickly, so most Massachusetts police chiefs have decided to take reports from their citizens even when they do not have jurisdiction to prosecute the underlying offenses.

* If a financial transaction can be identified in another jurisdiction, the investigating officer will make a formal referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

* Police officers and detectives from your local police department thoroughly investigate all crimes related to identity crime occurring in your community.

* Financial institutions often ask victims to send them a police report, so your local police department normally provides a copy of the report to the victim once it has been reviewed and approved. It can be mailed to you or you can pick it up at the police station.

* All reports about identity theft are faxed to the Identity Theft and Financial Crimes Task Force in Boston. The task force assists police departments and maintains a database of identity crimes occurring in New England. Where appropriate, the task force notifies and coordinates their investigations with the US Secret Service.

* Most officers investigating a case of identity theft will provide the victim with a Resource Guide, or you can obtain the same information from our web site by clicking on “If you have been a victim …”. The guide lists steps the victim can take to minimize the damage done by the crime, such as notifying a credit bureau and financial institutions, and registering the case on the FTC web site.

* The guide and information on our web site also explains how victims can notify the Social Security Administration if their social security number has been compromised.

* Cases that need follow-up investigation are often referred to the detectives of your police department. Detectives coordinate investigations with the task force, or follow up on fraudulent transactions occurring in your community that have been referred by other law enforcement agencies.

* Criminals committing crimes related to identity theft are often recorded by security cameras. Detectives post those photographs on the MassMostWanted.org website. Check the web site out to view photographs of people committing identity theft and other crimes.

If you have been a victim...

1. Call your local police department or visit the station, and an officer will take a report.

2. Contact any of the three major credit bureaus and ask that they place a “fraud alert” on your credit report. The three credit bureaus share information, so you only need to contact one of them.

Equifax Credit Information Services
(800) 525-6285
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
www.equifax.com

Experian Information Solutions
(888) 397-3742
PO Box 9530
Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com

TransUnion
(800) 680-7289
Fraud Victims Assistance Division
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
www.transunion.com

Contact the fraud department at each creditor or bank that provided the thief with unauthorized credit, goods or services. Provide them with the police department’s case number. Keep detailed records of these conversations.

Contact financial institutions with which you have open accounts, even if these accounts have not yet been accessed or used fraudulently. Explain the situation to them. You may need to close these accounts or changing the account numbers.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft and report the case. The FTC maintains an Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse and provides information to identity theft victims.

Identity Theft Clearing House
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Organize and keep a detailed log of all of your contacts and make copies of all documents. Make sure that you document the names of people you speak with and the time and date of your conversations.
Other Resources…

Identity Theft Resource Center:
www.idtheftcenter.org
(853) 693-7935

Social Security Administration Inspector General
Fraud Hotline – Contact this hotline if your Social Security Number was compromised or misused 800-269-0271.
www.ssa.gov/oig/

Preventing Identity Theft

DO:

* Protect your mail by removing it from your mailbox as soon as possible.
* Buy a shredder. It is a small price to pay for protecting your identity and financial information.
* Shred all paperwork with any personally identifying information, especially documents with your Social Security number and/or date of birth. Shred all receipts containing credit card numbers, banking information, credit card offers or any other financial documents.
* Protect your wallet/purse. Never leave them unattended.
* Carefully review your monthly statements from financial institutions looking for irregularities or fraudulent activity.
* There are many services that will monitor your credit and notify you of unusual or suspicious activity. There is a fee for these services, but they may save you from headaches later.
* Be careful when making purchases or sending information over the Internet. Ensure that the website you are sending information to is secure and uses up to date encryption methods.

DON’T

* Give out personal information in response to unsolicited offers by phone, mail, Internet or in person.
* DO NOT use your Social Security number unless you have to. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will assign you a random license number in lieu of using your Social Security number.
* Do not fill out warranty cards for items you purchased or enter sweepstakes. Such information is often sold to others as a marketing tool.
* Personal identifiers, account numbers, and other private information should never be provided to someone unless you can ensure the information will be secure. Know the person or company to whom you gave information and ask what the person or company will do with the information.