Don't Give The Gift Of Your Identity!

During your holiday shopping this year, be aware that identity thieves are working just as hard to steal your identity. 

Identity theft is a serious crime that can ruin your finances, credit history, and reputation – and it can take time, money, and patience to resolve. Acting quickly is the best way to limit the damage. If you are the victim of identity theft:

Place a fraud alert

• Contact one of the credit reporting companies:

Equifax 1‑800‑525‑6285

Experian 1‑888‑397‑3742

TransUnion 1‑800‑680‑7289

• Report that you are an identity theft victim.

• Ask the company to put a fraud alert on your credit file.

• Confirm that the company you call will contact the other two companies.

Placing a fraud alert is free. The initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for 90 days.

Be sure the credit reporting companies have your current contact information so they can get in touch with you. Placing an initial fraud alert entitles you to a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting companies.

• Contact each credit reporting company.

• Explain that you placed an initial fraud alert.

• Order your free copy of your credit report.

• Ask each company to show only the last four digits of your Social Security number on your report.

• Submit a complaint about the theft to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). When you finish writing all the details, print a copy of the report. It will print as an Identity Theft Affidavit.

• File a police report about the identity theft, and get a copy of the police report or the report number. Bring your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit when you file a police report.

• Attach your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit to your police report to make an Identity Theft Report.

Some companies want more information than the Identity Theft Report includes, or want different information. The information you need to provide depends on the policies of the credit reporting company and the business that sent the information about you to the credit reporting company.

 For more information about identity theft, please call 678.377.4010 and ask to speak to France or you may email your question and visit the UGA Family and Consumer Sciences ID Theft Information