Consumer Data Improperly Sold, Thousands At Risk Of Identity Theft

Information services company ChoicePoint admitted this week that they sold data to various entitities posing as legitimate businesses. More than 140,000 records containing "consumers’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers and credit reports" may have been improperly released, putting those consumers at risk for identity theft.

California is the only state that currently requires companies notify consumers if Social Security numbers or similar information is impropely released, but a group of state Attorney Generals have written ChoicePoint and urged the company to do the same for consumers in their states. Officials from the following states signed that letter: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington. The company has agreed to notify all impacted consumers and cites law enforcement requests for the delay in releasing the information.

If you are a victim of identity theft, the federal government advises taking the following steps:

• Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus.
  Request that a “fraud alert” be placed on your file and include a statement that creditors must get your permission before any new accounts are opened in your name. Get a copy of your credit report from each credit bureau so that you can dispute any inaccurate information. Check your reports at least every six months.

  The three major credit bureaus are:

  Equifax
  Order Credit Report: 800-685-1111
  Report Fraud: 800-525-6285
  www.equifax.com

  Experian
  Order Credit Report: 888-397-3742
  Report Fraud: 888-397-3742
  www.experian.com

  Trans Union
  Order Credit Report: 800-888-4213
  Report Fraud: 800-680-7289
  www.tuc.com

• Contact all the creditors involved.
  Let them know that your accounts may have been used without your permission, or that new accounts have been opened in your name. If your accounts have been used fraudulently, ask that new cards and account numbers be issued to you. Check your billing statements carefully and report any fraudulent activity immediately. Many banks and creditors will accept the “ID Theft Affidavit” available at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, to dispute the fraudulent charges.
  
• File a police report.
  Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of a crime.
  
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission.
  The FTC provides useful information to identity theft victims and maintains a database of identity theft cases for use by law enforcement agencies. File a report with the FTC by calling the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338); by mail, Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20580; or online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Also request a copy of the publication, ID Theft, When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name.
  
• Keep a record of your contacts.
  Start a file with copies of your credit reports, the police report, any correspondence, and copies of disputed bills. It is also useful to keep a log of your conversations with creditors, law enforcement officials, and other relevant parties. Follow up all phone calls in writing and send all correspondence certified, return receipt requested.

posted by Consumer Help Web Editorial Team at 3:18 PM |