• Banner


ID Theft Resources

What is ID Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

For more detailed information about ID Theft visit the FTC website.

Protecting yourself from ID Theft

The following website is an excellent resource that can aid you to take the steps necessary to help protect against identity theft.

Victim of Identity Theft

If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps as soon as possible, and keep a record with the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.

  1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.
  2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
  3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
  4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Here are some important numbers you should know.
HarborOne Credit Union
800-244-7592

Attorney General Consumer Hotline
Visit www.ago.state.ma.us or call 617-727-8400

Federal Trade Commission Hotline
Visit www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-IDTheft

Office of Consumer Affairs Hotline
Visit www.state.ma.us/dob or call 617-727-7780 or 888-283-63757

The Credit Reporting Bureaus/Fraud Departments
Equifax
P.O. Box 15069
Atlanta, GA 30348
888.766.0008

Experian (formerly TRW)
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
888.397.3742

Transunion
P.O. Box 679
Fullerton, CA 92634
800.680.7289