An update from Rep. Ingraham
In the wake of the Target Store’s data breach over the holidays and with the launch of the Affordable Health Care Act’s (aka Obamacare) Healthcare.com website, and the questions regarding security of patients information arising, I thought this might be an opportune time to look at some information which might help you protect yourself from identity theft.
Identity theft is being recognized as a top-reported crime in America, especially in the wake of events like the data breach at Target. Finding ways to protect ourselves is, or should be a top priority in our lives. One option available to you is a security freeze.
A security freeze is an effective way to prevent identity theft. By putting a security freeze on your credit files prevents those files from being shared with potential creditors (MCA 30-14-1726 to 1736). A security freeze allows consumers to proactively “lock up” their credit information so no one can access it without their permission. That freeze prevents a thief from falsely using someone else’s identity to take out a new mortgage, apply for a credit card or get financing.
It costs $3.00 to place a security freeze on your credit files with a credit bureau, or a total of $9.00 to freeze your files with all three credit bureaus. For a security freeze to be effective for a married couple, both individuals will need to freeze their separate credit lines for a cost of $18.00. To have a freeze temporarily lifted also costs $3.00 per bureau.
To place a security freeze on your credit files, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. You may use a security freeze form letter found on the Department of Justice website: https://doj.mt.gov . The letter should include: 1) identifying information including, at a minimum, your name, address and Social Security number; and, 2) payment of the $3.00 security freeze fee by check or credit card, unless you are an identity theft victim. If you are a victim of identity theft, you’ll need to provide the bureaus with a copy of the police report of identity theft.
Send separate letters to each of the three credit bureaus at the following addresses:
Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348 – (1-800-525-6285)
Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 – (1-888-397-3742)
TransUnion Security Freeze, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 (1-800-680-7289)
You may also contact our Department of Justice for more information regarding the process at their website or by calling 406-444-2026 as well as contacting the credit bureaus at the above listed numbers.
For those of you who shop at Target, there is a short term solution for you as well. Montana residents who shop at Target can take advantage of one year of free credit monitoring that is being offered by the retail company for all Target consumers, not only those who had their information compromised during the data breach. The free credit monitoring for Target customers is being offered through Experian’s ProtectMyID. Consumers can register for the free credit monitoring at: creditmonitoring.target.com. This service will provide a copy of a credit report, daily credit monitoring, identity theft insurance (except where prohibited by law) and access to personalized assistance from a fraud resolution agent.
In addition to these resources a few practical ideas which you might consider include:
• Never give bank or credit card information over the phone unless you initiated the call and know the business to be reputable.
• Never respond to unsolicited e-mail or pop-up messages asking you to confirm or verify account information, even if it looks official.
• Remove extra information from your checks. DO NOT put your social security number on your checks, date of birth or phone number. Use your first initial rather than your full name on your checks.
• Shred or destroy documents with personal identifying information. DO NOT throw the documents into the trash.
• Try to avoid mailing bills from your home mail box. Mail your bills in a secure US Post Office box or at the Post Office. Thieves often steal mail out of mail boxes to gain access to personnel account information.
• Review your bank and credit card statements as soon as you get them for activity that is not yours.
• Order a copy of your FREE credit report once per year and check it carefully for fraudulent accounts. You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months. To get your free credit report contact the following entities:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com; PO Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division,
PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
• DO NOT SAVE credit card information on line. Some online merchants automatically save your credit card information. It is best to re-enter your credit card information each time you shop online.
Now it is your turn to “Keep in Touch”. I can be reached via e-mail at pathd13@blackfoot.net, or call me at 827-4652 or by mail at P.O. Box 1151, Thompson Falls, Montana 59873.