Identity Fraud

Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing and most devastating crimes occurring in America today. According to the Federal Trade Commission, 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years. This statistic includes 9.9 million people in the last year alone.

The Identity Fraud Act Is Located In Utah Code Section 76-6-1101

It states: "A person is guilty of identity fraud when that person knowingly or intentionally: obtains personal identifying information of another person; and uses or attempts to use that information with fraudulent intent, including to obtain, or attempt to obtain, credit, goods, services, any other thing of value, or medical information in the name of another person.

"Identity fraud is a third degree felony if the value of the credit, goods, services, or any other thing of value is less than $5,000; or a second degree felony if the value of the credit, goods, services, or any other thing of value is or exceeds $5,000.

"Personal identifying information may include: name, address, telephone number, driver's license number, social security number, place of employment, employee id numbers, mother's maiden name, electronic identification numbers, digital signatures or a private key or any other numbers or information that can be used to access a person's financial resources or medical information in the name of another person without the consent of that person except for the numbers or information that can be prosecuted as financial transaction card offenses starting under Section 76-6-506.

Identity fraud is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of their good name and credit record. Victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, cars, or even be arrested for crimes they didn't commit.

Start Taking The Steps To Protect Your Identity

• Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. These typically cost $9 each and show information such as where you live, accounts that have been opened in your name, and whether you have ever filed for bankruptcy.

  Equifax - www.equifax.com
  To order a report, call 800-685-1111
  To report fraud, call 800-525-6285
  TDD 800-255-0056
  To write: PO Box 740241
  Atlanta GA 30374-0241

  Experian - www.experian.com
  To order a report, call 888-397-3742
  To report fraud, call 888-397-3742
  TDD 800-972-0322
  To write: PO Box 9532
  Allen TX 75013

  TransUnion - www.transunion.com
  To order a report, call 800-888-4213
  To report fraud, call 800-680-7289
  TDD 877-553-7803
  To write: Fraud Victim Assistance Dept.
  PO Box 6790
  Fullerton CA 92634-6790

• Do not carry extra credit cards, passports, Social Security cards, or birth certificates in your wallet.
• Create unique passwords and personal identification numbers for your accounts. Avoid using information like your date of birth, phone number, mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Do not give your Social Security number or other personal information to a person or company unless you have invited the contact and understand why this information is required and how it will be used.
• Guard your mail and trash against theft. Promptly remove incoming mail and always place outgoing mail in a post office collection box, not in your mailbox with the flag up. Also, buy a shredder and shred documents that contain any personally identifiable information before throwing it in the trash.
• Read account statements carefully and make sure that all charges are legitimate. In addition, contact a creditor or bank if your statement does not arrive on time.
• Use extreme caution with computers. Use a firewall program, especially if you use a high speed Internet connection. Use a secure browser to guard the security of your on-line transactions. Avoid storing financial information on your laptop and delete all personal information and files prior to disposing of an old computer.
• Do not leave valuables such as purses, luggage, and laptops unattended.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using financial transaction card. Camera phones are becoming ore popular and can easily be used to record your card number and personal identification numbers.

Identity Theft Packet

If you have questions or would like additional information please contact Marlesse Whittington at (801)336-3599.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
www.consumer.gov/idtheft