Information for the News Media

Public Information Office
(512) 424-2080

April 9, 2002

Steps To Help Prevent Identity Theft

There is no way to ensure you will never be a victim of identity fraud or theft. However, the more you know and more you are aware of your financial records, the better prepared you will be if you do become a victim.

Do NOT give out personal information over the phone or Internet. That would include your social security number, driver license number, date of birth, place of birth, home address, mother's maiden name or passwords.

Do NOT print too much personal information on you checks. Although it may be more convenient at the checkout counter, the more that you have on your checks, the more convenient for the criminal. We recommend that you do not put your driver license, identification card or social security number on your checks.

Check your credit history and bank records frequently. Look for signs of inaccurate or suspicious activity.

Keep detailed and accurate records of your banking, check writing, credit card and ATM usage.

Ensure that carbons on credit card receipts are destroyed.

Purchase a home shredder or completely destroy any items that may have personal information and identifiers such as address, date of birth, social security number, driver license or identification card number, rather than discarding them in the trash.

The only true defense against identity theft is prevention!

Steps To Take After Identity Theft has Occurred:

FOR INFORMATION ON STATE LAW REGARDING FRAUDULENT USE OF INFORMATION SEE TEXAS PENAL CODE 32.51

  1. NOTIFY THE POLICE: Make a report. Get the name of the officers you contact and the police report number for your records. List exactly what has happened, such as bad checks, credit card abuse, or misuse of name, state driver license or identification card.
  2. NOTIFY CREDITORS AND MERCHANTS: Cancel all credit cards and close your accounts. Take the time to contact all creditors or merchants that are affected. Get the name of any employee that you contact and ask for a reference number on each item that you are disputing. If you owe a legitimate payment, advise the company that you have closed out your old account or credit card, and that you will issue a new check or charge on a new credit card. The company may require a cashiers check or money order.
  3. NOTIFY YOUR BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION: Change affected bank accounts. Advise them of the situation and find out what is required to clear anything that affects your bank services. This could include checks, ATM cards, debit cards, etc.
  4. CHECK YOUR CREDIT: If you know that you are a victim of identity theft, notify the major credit reporting agencies as well as local credit reporting companies, and advise them of your situation. You may be able to request that a block be put on any attempt to gain credit under you name and date of birth without your confirmation.

www.ssa.gov

  1. CHECK WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: Make sure that your earned income and benefits are accurate. If there is any action on your social security number that should not be there, get as much information as you can from the Social Security Administration and follow through with what is requested of you. (To report social security fraud, call 1-800-269-0271).

Some of the Major Credit Reporting Agencies Are:

Some of the Major Check Verification Companies:

LIST OF DL OFFICES

  1. Contact DPS Driver License Division: After you have made a police report, notify your creditors and any other agencies that you need to contact. You may contact your local DPS driver license office, and depending on your situation, you may be entitled to have your driver license or identification number changed. There may be times when it would not be necessary or of any value. You may visit with a driver license supervisor to determine what is best for your individual situation. You will be asked to bring as much personal documentation as you can to positively identify yourself (old school records, shot records, awards/certificates, insurance policies, etc), as well as police reports, copies of returned checks or cancellation information on credit card or checks. You will also be asked to fill out a Forgery Affidavit which will need to be notarized. A copy of the form may be obtained at any local driver license office or printed off this site.

FORGERY AFFIDAVIT

  1. Links For More Information: