Putting Pressure on Identity Thieves

 

Victims of identity theft now have an easier way to report the crime to businesses where bogus accounts may have been opened in their names.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has created a universal form to be used to alert retail stores, banks and other companies that the information used to open an account had been fraudulently obtained.

“A consumer just fills it out and faxes it to businesses where the new accounts were opened,” FTC spokeswoman Cathy MacFarlane told the AARP Bulletin.

Identity theft occurs when criminals steal personal information, such as a credit card account number or a Social Security number, to open new accounts.

In an FTC survey, identity theft was the top consumer complaint in the nation last year, accounting for 42 percent of all complaints.

Visit the FTC website for a copy of the FTC universal form, called the ID Theft Affidavit, or call toll free 877-438-4338.

 

 

 

Return to Top