Identity Theft

Here at the Pennridge Regional Police Department we are serious about identity theft. If you feel that you are a victim of a fraud or you think someone has stolen your identity complete the checklist below. The United States Federal Trade Commission indicates that over 27 million Americans have been the victim of identity theft within the last 5 years. This number will increase between 500,000 to 700,000 each year.

Recommended steps for the investigation of identity theft:

FILE A POLICE REPORT

The victim of identity theft is required to file a police report prior to contacting banks, creditors, other businesses and the credit bureaus.

CANCEL ANY FRAUDULENT OR COMPROMISED ACCOUNTS.

The victim must immediately close and dispute any new, unauthorized accounts whether they are credit cards or charge accounts. The Federal Trade Commission has prepared an "ID theft affidavit" that is accepted by many banks, creditors, other businesses and the credit bureaus at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

FORWARD CORRESPONDENCE TO THE DEPARTMENT

As soon as one of the credit bureaus places a fraud alert, the other two bureaus are automatically notified to do the same and the victim will receive free credit reports from all three bureaus. (SEE THE BELOW LIST FOR NUMBERS)

NOTIFY CREDIT BUREAUS

CONTACT THE NETWORK OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE

Bucks County, Network of Victim Assistance, 1-800-675-6900, 16 North Franklin Street, Doylestown, PA 18901. They can access NOVA's website at http://www. novabucks.org

Identity Theft

Contact Information

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

600 Pennsylvania, NW, H-130

Washington, DC 20580

I -877-IDTHEFT (1 -800-438-4338)

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

US Postal Service

P.O. Box 7500

Philadelphia, PA 19101-9000

PH: 215-895-8450