http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Identity-Theft-Fraud/index.html LawInfo - Legal Resource Center offers free legal forms and free legal documents that is designed to help consumers and businesses resolve their legal issues http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Identity-Theft-Fraud/Federal/what-is-identity-theft.html The FBI ranks identity theft as one of the fastest&shy;growing crimes in the nation, thanks to today's increasingly sophisticated technology due to easy access to high&shy;quality computer software, scanners and printers. With the Internet, the crime has risen to the point that it defrauds more than a thousand people per day costing billions of dollars each year, according to Consumer Reports. Sadly, identity theft and check fraud have caused many innocent consumers to be reported to ChexSystems. While ChexSystems helps banks and credit unions protect you from identity theft and other types of fraud, it is of utmost important that you too play a role in protecting your identity. The following tips will help you reduce your chances of becoming a victim: <ul> <li>Safeguard your checkbook and supply of checks. <li>Don't put bills paid with checks inside your mailbox for postal pickup. <li>Guard your identity. Keep bank account numbers, PIN numbers and Social Security Numbers out of your pocketbook and wallet. <li>Shred financial documents such as old bank statements or credit offers that contain account numbers or account information. <li>Always write checks in ink. <li>Use caution when providing financial information over the phone or over the Internet. Know how the information will be used. <li>Review your bank statements and returned checks to ensure no unauthorized transactions occurred. Most banks and credit unions allow 30 days to challenge questionable transactions. </ul> If your wallet or checkbook is lost or stolen, immediately call: <ul> <li>Your bank and credit card companies to freeze your accounts. Also ask your bank to contact our Lost & Stolen hotline, which alerts retailers and other banks to the missing checks. <li>Your local police department to file a report. <li>The three credit reporting companies:<br> Experian (888&shy;397&shy;3742)<br>Equifax (800) 525&shy;6285<br>Trans Union (800) 680&shy;7289. <li>The Federal Trade Commission (202&shy;326&shy;2222), which provides information to victims and refers complaints to the appropriate reporting agencies </ul> Identity Theft FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Chex-Systems/index.html Free Chex Systems FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Collections/index.html Free Collections FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Creditor-Remedies-in-Bankruptcy/index.html Free Creditor Remedies in Bankruptcy FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Debt-Collections/index.html Free Debt Collections FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Enforcement-of-Judgments/index.html Free Enforcement of Judgments FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Fair-Credit-Reporting-Act/index.html Free Fair Credit Reporting Act FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Fair-Debt-Collection-Practices-Act/index.html Free Fair Debt Collection Practices Act FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Judicial-Remedies/index.html Free Judicial Remedies FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Mortgage-Foreclosure/index.html Free Mortgage Foreclosure FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Non-Judicial-Remedies/index.html Free Non-Judicial Remedies FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Secured-Transactions/index.html Free Secured Transactions FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Types-of-Creditors/index.html Free Types of Creditors FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Sub-categories Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:46:32 GMT