Identity Theft and Cyberstalking

Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission defines identity theft as follows: when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.

If you think your identity has been stolen, here's what to do now:

1	Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The contact information for the credit bureaus are listed below. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts. Once the alert is placed, you may order a free copy of your credit report from all three major credit bureaus.
2	Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
3	File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
4	File a complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

Equifax - www.equifax.com
To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

For Fraud Alerts, call: 800-525-6285 and write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.

Experian - www.experian.com
To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:
P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013

For Fraud Alerts, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322

Trans Union - www.transunion.com
To order your report, call: 800-888-4213 or write:
P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

For Fraud Alerts, call: 800-680-7289 and write:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
TDD: 1-877-553-7803

Source: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

 

Cyberstalking

What Is Cyberstalking?

Although there is no universally accepted definition of cyberstalking, the term is used in this report to refer to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communications devices to stalk another person. Stalking generally involves harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property. Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim; others include threats against the victim's immediate family; and still others require only that the alleged stalker's course of conduct constitute an implied threat. While some conduct involving annoying or menacing behavior might fall short of illegal stalking, such behavior may be a prelude to stalking and violence and should be treated seriously.

Abduction

A child might provide information that could risk personal safety or the safety of family members. In a few cases, pedophiles have used e-mail and chat areas to gain a child's confidence in order to arrange a face-to-face meeting.

The best way to stay safe on the internet is to NEVER RESPOND to someone you don't know. If you respond, you open the door to dialog and let the person know that you are reachable. A predator or bully will try to provoke you into responding so it often takes a lot of self control to resist someone who is trying to engage you in a conversation.

Legal & Financial Issues

A child could unwittingly do something that has negative legal or financial consequences, such as giving out a caregiver's credit card number or violating another person's rights. Be sure your child understands the possible dangers of shopping online and uses common net courtesy.