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Identity Theft: A Guide for Ohio Victims

Identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. It is a serious crime that occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, social security number, credit card number or other information without your consent to commit fraud or other crimes.

Ohio’s identity fraud law, ORC 2913.49, makes it a crime to intentionally use the personal information of another person to fraudulently obtain credit, property or services. The law considers computer and Internet technology, making it a crime for a person to aid or abet another person in securing this personal identifying information.

Victims can spend both money and time, sometimes even months or years, cleaning up the damage that the thief did to their name and credit record. If you believe your identity has been stolen, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has determined that there are four basic steps that need to be taken, in almost every case, to rectify the situation.

Make a Police Report. Make a report to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction in your case. For thefts occuring outside of Ohio, your local sheriff’s office or police department may be able to assist you in locating the telephone number and address of their counterpart(s) in the other state(s).

When you file your report provide as much documentation as you have available at the time, such as debt collection letters and credit reports. Request a copy of the report, creditors will want a copy to erase the debts created by the identity thief. Send a copy of the report to the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Place a Fraud Alert on your Credit Report. Call the toll free number of the major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will help prevent the thief from opening credit in your name. Ask how long the alert will be active and how to extend it. Add a victim’s statement asking creditors to contact you prior to opening any new accounts or making changes to existing ones. Review your credit report carefully for accounts opened that you did not open or charges made that were not authorized. Formally request, in writing, that all fraudulent information and inquiries be permanently removed from your credit report. Also request that the credit bureau notify those who have Received your credit report in the last six months to alert them to the disputed information.

Close Accounts that Have Been Compromised. Contact all of your creditors by telephone and in writing as soon as possible. Credit accounts include all accounts with banks, credit card companies, utilities and other service providers. Obtain replacement account numbers.

If your checks have been stolen or misused, notify your bank or financial institution immediately, and close the account and put a “stop payment” on any outstanding checks. Contact the major check verification companies and ask them to notify retailers who use their database not to accept your checks.

File a Federal Trade Commission Complaint. It is important that you file an identity theft complaint with the FTC. You will be providing information that can assist law enforcement in tracking down identity thieves and stopping them.

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