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The Savage Police Department is providing you information that may assist you if you are experiencing problems related to identity theft/credit card fraud.  Minnesota has enacted statutes regarding these new and ever increasing criminal activities. 

IDENTITY THEFT-MN Statute 609.527 Subd.2. Crime.  A person who transfers, possesses, or uses an identity that is not the persons own, with the intent to commit, aid or abet any unlawful activity is guilty of identity theft and may be punished as provided in Subdivision 3.

FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD FRAUD-MN Statute 609.821 Subd.2(1). Crime.  Use without consent, no person shall without the consent of the cardholder and knowing that the cardholder has not given consent to use or attempt to use a card to obtain the property of another or a public assistance benefit issued for the use of another.

The Savage Police will take a report and investigate crimes when they occur or are committed in the City of Savage .  But if your identity or credit card has been used outside of Savage, you need to contact your credit card provider, and file reports with each law enforcement agency where your identity/credit card was used.

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If you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft/credit card fraud, it is essential to immediately contact all of your creditors: credit card issuers, all three major credit reporting agencies, banks, auto lease, or finance firms.  It is very important to get the process started right away.

FILE A POLICE REPORT that explains what elements of your identity/credit card have been misappropriated, how you learned of it, and what actions you have taken to this point.  Information you will need to provide to police must be detailed  (i.e., credit card company, account numbers, social security number, drivers license number, and any other important information need to related to the crime).

DOCUMENT every communication with whomever you contact related to the situation by noting the dates, times, who you spoke with, what they said, and how you followed up.  Keep receipts for all certified mailings and faxes, and copies of phone records to document your expenses.

CALL THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION to alert them to the identity theft.  To reach the Social Security fraud division, online at www.ssa.gov/oig/ifyou.htm or call the Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271.

REPORT THE THEFT to the Federal Trade Commission.  Call 877-438-4338 or complete the online ID theft complaint form at www.ftc.gov.           

DO NOT CANCEL credit cards that havent been invaded, advises Mari Frank, an attorney and victim who operates www.identitytheft.org.  Franks says, Most of the time, someone is getting credit on a new account in your name.  Theyre not usually putting charges on your card because then youd find out right away.  Instead, add a fraud alert and change the mothers maiden name identifier on all your financial accounts, including credit card and bank accounts.

DO NOT CHANGE your Social Security number, either, advises Frank.  Not only will you lose your good credit history, but creditors will be able to find the old number, and you will look suspicious to banks, lenders or even law enforcement agencies.

CREDIT AGENCIES

Equifax Credit Information Services         Experian                                   Trans Union Fraud Victim Assistance   
P.O. Box 105496                                  P.O. Box 2104                           P.O. Box 390  
Atlanta , Georgia 30348-5496                Allen , Texas   75013-2104           Springfield , PA   19064-0390  
Tel: (800)-997-2493                               Tel:  (888)-397-3742                    Tel:  (800)-680-7289
www.equifax.com                                  www.experian.com                      www.transunion.com

Helpful Web Sites
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
www.idtheftcenter.org
www.privacyrights.org
www.secretservice.gov/financialcrimes.shtml 

CREDIT CARD FRAUD PREVENTION TIPS

 Keep an eye on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible.  Try not to let your credit card out of  your sight whenever possible.

 Be careful to whom you give your credit card.  Do not give out your account number over the phone unless you initiate the call and you know the company is reputable.  Never give you credit card info out when you receive a phone call.  (For example, if you are told there has been a computer problem and the caller needs you to verify information.)  Legitimate companies dont call you to ask for a credit card number over the phone.  

Never respond to emails that request you provide your credit card info via email and do not ever respond to emails that ask you to go to a website to verify personal (and credit card) in formation.  These are called phishing scams.  

Never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secure site.  

Sign you credit cards as soon as you receive them.  

Shred all credit card applications you receive.

Do not write your PIN number on your credit card or have it anywhere near your credit card in the event that your wallet is stolen.

Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.

Shield your credit card numbers so that others around you cant copy it or capture it on a cell phone or the camera.

Keep a list in a secure place with all of your account numbers and expiration dates, as well as the phone numbers and addresses of each bank that has issued you a credit card.  Keep this list updated each time you get a new or cancel a card.

Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need.  Do not carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use.  

Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no bogus charges.  Treat your credit card bill like your checking account, reconcile it monthly.  Save your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly bills.  

If you find any charges that you do not have a receipt for, or that you dont recognize, report these charges promptly (and in writing) to the credit card issuer.  

Always void and destroy incorrect receipts.  

Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.  

Never sign a blank credit card receipt.  Carefully draw a line through blank portions of the receipt where additional charges could be fraudulently added.  

Carbon paper is rarely used these days, but if there is a carbon that is used in a credit card transaction, destroy it.  

Never write your credit card account number in a public place, such as on a postcard or so that it shows through an envelope.  

Never lend a credit card to anyone.

If you move, notify your credit card issuers in advance of your change of address.          

Do not leave credit cards, wallet, checkbook or cash  in your in your vehicle.  A very high proportion of credit cards are stolen from motor vehicles.