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Extension Report
Baldwin County Extension Office
302A Byrne Street
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Rick Zapata
Regional Extension Agent
Consumer Sciences & Personal Financial Management
June 17, 2008
Identify Theft
The problem with fraud and identity theft in Mobile and Baldwin Counties is growing worse. Recent arrests and convictions in South Alabama and West Florida have shown us that the problem is here and we need to prepare ourselves so that we do not become a victim.
Last year in Alabama, there was over 21 million dollars lost to fraud and identity theft. The number is actually a lot higher because only 40% of victims actually filed a police report. Most of the people who fall prey to fraud are embarrassed to admit that they have been duped and they won’t tell anyone. It is so important to report identity theft and fraud, because if you don’t the police authorities have no chance of catching these criminals.
I have held several workshops in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, and at every workshop I have had at least one person who has already been a victim. So how do you know if you have been a victim of fraud or identity theft?????
You are permitted by law to receive one credit report per year free of charge. There are three credit bureaus: (Experian 888-397-3742) (Trans Union 800-680-7289) and (Equifax 800-525-6285). If you get your credit report every 4 months from one of them, you can keep check on your credit report all the year round. If the report shows credit cards in your name that you do not have, or shows a different address than yours (crooks do not want the bills coming to your house), you probably have just become a victim of identity theft.
If you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft, you can call the credit bureau and request that they put a “Fraud Alert” on your account. This will prevent anyone from getting credit approval in your name. There are two types of “Fraud Alerts” : a 90 day alert, and a 7 year alert. If you know that you have been a victim of identity theft, I recommend that you have a 7 year “Fraud Alert” placed on your account. The identity thief will sell your identity to more that one person. Your identity may be sold to over a hundred people. Once the problem develops, you have to stop the “damage”. The fraud alert placed on your account will stop any further credit cards being issued in your name.
After you place the fraud alert on your account, you will have to notify all the creditors that have issued accounts to the thief (s). You will have to let them know that the credit accounts are not yours. Please do this by phone and letter. You will need to send them a “Dispute Letter”. This letter will also have to be sent to the Credit Bureau. Document and make copies of everything that you do in trying to correct the problem. If you need help with this, you can call the Alabama Attorney General’s Office or go on line to the Federal Trade Commission. Another source for help can be found at http://www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-IDTHEFT.
I sincerely hope that you will never become a victim, but if you are interested in attending a workshop on Fraud and Identity Theft you can call the Baldwin County Cooperative Extension System at 251-937-7176 for a list of classes. If you would like to have the complete two hour workshop presented in your church or civic group, you can call me at 334-703-2276.
Other schedule workshops: June 24th, Estate Planning, 8:00 am-12, Jon Archer Agricultural Center, 1070 Schillinger Road, Mobile.
Small Business Workshop, June 26th, 27th, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Foley Public Library, Hwy 98 E. just east of Hwy 59 next to City Hall.
Email address: rrz0001@auburn.edu
Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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