Identity Theft

A thief somehow steals your personal information: social security number, bank account number, debit/credit card numbers, secret PIN, and/or date of birth. The thief uses the information to charge items to your accounts and/or set up accounts in your name. The scammer can accomplish this over the telephone or internet. The scammer can also transfer money out of your accounts. Strangers are not the only identity thieves. Caregivers and family members are known to compromise accounts without permission.

NEVER LEAVE PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION LYING AROUND. SHRED DOCUMENTS, USE A LOCKING MAILBOX, MAIL BILLS FROM THE POST OFFICE, AND NEVER CARRY YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD WITH YOU. NEVER GIVE YOUR PIN CODE TO ANYONE. MONITOR YOUR FREE CREDIT REPORTS AND YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS FOR UNKNOWN AND FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY.

You can request your free credit report from the three major credit bureaus by going online to AnnualCreditReport.com or by telephone at 1(877) 322-8228. No matter how you request your report, you have the option to request all three reports at once or to order one report at a time. By requesting the reports separately, you can monitor your credit more frequently throughout the year. 

If you are a victim of fraud, the credit bureau is required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report. The credit bureaus are listed below.

A Partial List of Resources if You are a Victim of Identity Theft

  • Atherton Police Department: 1(650) 688-6500
  • Adult Protective Services: 1(800) 414-2002
  • Free Annual Credit Report: 1(877) 322-8228
  • National DO NOT CALL Registry:  1(888) 382-1222
  • Identity Theft:
    Federal Trade Commission:  1(877) 438-4338
  • Junk Mail:
  • Direct Marketing Association: 1(212) 768-7277, ext. 1
  • Stop credit card applications:
  • Consumer Credit Reporting Industry: 1(888) 567-8688
  • Reverse Mortgage Information and Real Estate Fraud:
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): 1(800) 333-4636
  • California Department of Real Estate: 1(916) 227-0931
  • Investment / Securities Fraud:
  • California Department of Business Oversight: 1(866) 275-2677 
  • United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Investor Complaints: 1(415) 705-2500
  • Annuity and Insurance Issues:
  • California Department of Insurance:  1(800) 927-4357

Miscellaneous:

Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline:  1(800) 269-0271

California Office of Privacy Protection, (Dept. of Consumer Affairs)
Phone: (866) 785-9663
California Office of Privacy Protection Website

CA Secretary of State Phone: (916) 653-6814
California Attorney General Website

CA DMV Fraud Department Phone / Local: (866) 658-5758
Phone / Out of State: (916) 657-2274
California Department of Motor Vehicles Website
Email the California Department of Motor Vehicles Fraud Department

CA Identity Theft Registry
(for victims of Criminal Identity Theft)
California Identity Theft Registry Website

CRAs 

Equifax
PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Phone: (800) 525-6285
Equifax Website

Experian
PO Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013-0949
Phone: (888) 397-3742
Experian Website

TransUnion
PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834
Phone: (800) 680-7289
Transunion Website