Prepared for:
Risky Business 2012 Conference
Presented by:
Tony La Rosa, Manager
Mid-Iowa Credit Counseling
Park Fair Mall
100 E. Euclid Ave., Ste. 157
Des Moines, IA 50313
Ph. #: 515-279-4118
Email: desmoines@cccsia.org



What is Identity Theft
How They Get Your Information
3D Of Identity Theft:
◦ Deter
◦ Detect
◦ Defend




Getting Your Credit Report
The Cost of Identity Theft
How can we help
Questions and Answer


Identity theft is when someone steal your personal
information to use for fraudulent and criminal
activities
They may use your personal information to
◦ Take out loans in your name
◦ Turn utilities on and not pay them
◦ Counterfeit checks
◦ Get new divers licenses with their picture
◦ They may give your name to the police during a arrest

They get information from businesses

They steal your mail

They may rummage though your trash

They may steal your purse or wallet

They may pose as someone you know, like your
banker or landlord and ask for personal
information

The Three D’s of Identity Theft are
◦ Deter identity theft by safeguarding your personal
information
◦ Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring
your financial statements
◦ Defend against identity theft as soon as you
suspect a problem
Deter identity theft by following these simple
guidelines

Shred important document before throwing them out

Protect your identity by not carrying your social
security card with you

Don’t give out personal information to people you do
not know over the phone, mail or internet

Keep your personal information in a safe secure place
Be alert for possible fraud by monitoring your
accounts for

Mail that does not arrive

Unexpected credit card or account statements

Denial of credit for no reason

Calls or letters about purchase you made
Defend yourself from identity theft when you
suspect a problem

Placing a fraud alert on your credit reports

Close accounts that have been tampered with

File reports with the police department and your
financial institutions

File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission
and your state Attorney General Office
To protect your Consumer Rights, be sure to fully
cooperate with

Law enforcement agencies

Banks or credit unions

Credit card companies

Utility companies

Collection agencies
Credit report may be damaged, resulting in:

Collection activities and law suits

Higher cost of credit, if at all

Higher cost of utilities, phone, insurance

Employment difficulties becomes limited
 May not get the job you want
 May not get better paying jobs or
 May not be able to get a job
You can get a free copy of your credit report once
every 12 months from all three credit bureaus at

On the web at www.annualcreditreport.com

By calling 1-877-322-8228

Write to

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
You may also contact each credit bureaus at
 Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
 Experian: 1-888-397-3742
 Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
1.
2.
3.
Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov
Contact Mid-Iowa Credit Counseling to arrange
for a private intake appointment, 515-279-4118
Outside of Des Moines at 800-714-4388
Questions
And
Answers
Enclosure: (list the items you enclosed)
Sincerely,
Your name
correct the error as soon as possible.
enclosed, supporting documents such as payment receipts, court
records, etc.) supporting my position. Please investigate my dispute and
Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable to describe any
or court, and identify type of item, such credit, collection, judgment
accounts etc.) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe what is
inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am requesting that the item be
deleted (or specify another request).
This item (identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors
I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. The items I
dispute are circled on the attached copy of the report I received.
Dear Sir or Madam:
Complaint Department
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Address
Your Name
Date
Track Your Progress
Name of Creditor
Item in Question
Date
Description of What Happened