Subject: American Community Security Update for January 18, 2002 We use this service to provide you the most up-to-date safety and security related information we have available. We will continue to do so, sending out messages as soon as new information becomes available. In addition to sharing security-related information, we will continue to include news and information about our American Citizens Services of a more general nature. This week's feature is on protecting yourself against identity fraud, an increasingly common danger as more and more information is made available on line and in the course of our daily lives. Also, please note that the Embassy will be closed on January 21 for Martin Luther King Day, a U.S. Federal holiday. ------------------------------------ Security Situation ------------------------------------ The security situation in Japan remains the same with no new threat information reported from either the American or the Japanese side. ------------------------------------ Protecting Yourself Against ID Fraud ------------------------------------ The 1990's spawned a new variety of crook called an "identity thief." Their stock in trade are your everyday transactions. Each transaction requires you to share personal information: your bank and credit card account numbers; your income; your Social Security number; and your name, address and phone numbers. We at the Embassy have dealt with two (unrelated) cases of identity theft already this year. One involved the fraudulent use of an American's credit card in the U.S. (for $11,000) and the other the misuse of an American's passport in Japan. An identity thief co-opts some piece of your personal information and appropriates it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. An all-too-common example is when an identity thief uses your personal information to open a credit card account in your name. Can you completely prevent identity theft from occurring? Probably not, especially if someone is determined to commit the crime. But you can minimize your risk by managing your personal information wisely, cautiously and with heightened sensitivity. ------------------------------------ Best Source of Information ------------------------------------ The best single source of information on identity theft is published by the Federal Trade Commission, and is available at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.pdf or at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm The pamphlet discusses things like how to learn if you have been a victim, how to minimize risk, first steps if your identity is stolen, online resources and dealing with creditors. ------------------------------------ Online Resources ------------------------------------ There are a number of online resources you can consult to protect yourself. We've included non-800 numbers when available. If your email reader does not display the web addresses below as "clickable links", you can find all of these links on our web page at http://www.tokyoacs.com. Look under the "Safety and Security" heading for a link to our page titled "Protecting Yourself Against ID Fraud." ------------------------------------ Federal Trade Commission (FTC) http://www.ftc.gov ------------------------------------ The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, the Commission helps victims of identity theft by providing them with information to help resolve the financial and other problems that can result from identity theft. The FTC also may refer victim complaints to other appropriate government agencies and private organizations for action. If you've been a victim of identity theft, file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline by telephone: toll-free 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338); by mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or online: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft FTC publications: Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/cards.htm Credit and ATM Cards: What to Do If They're Lost or Stolen http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/atmcard.htm Credit Card Loss Protection Offers: They're The Real Steal http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/lossalrt.htm Getting Purse-onal: What To Do If Your Wallet or Purse Is Stolen http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/getpurse.htm How to Dispute Credit Report Errors http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/crdtdis.htm Identity Crisis... What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/idenalrt.htm Identity Thieves Can Ruin Your Good Name: Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/identity/index.html ------------------------------------ Social Security Administration (SSA) http://www.ssa.gov ------------------------------------ SSA may assign you a new SSN - at your request - if you continue to experience problems even after trying to resolve the problems resulting from identity theft. SSA field office employees work closely with victims of identity theft and third parties to collect the evidence needed to assign a new SSN in these cases. The SSA Office of the Inspector General (SSA/OIG) is one of the federal law enforcement agencies that investigates cases of identity theft. Direct allegations that an SSN has been stolen or misused to the SSA Fraud Hotline at 1-800- 269-0271; by fax: 410-597-0118; or write to SSA Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235; or e-mail atoig.hotline@ssa.gov SSA publications include: SSA Fraud Hotline for Reporting Fraud http://www.ssa.gov/oig/guidelin.htm Social Security When Someone Misuses Your Number http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html Social Security: Your Number and Card http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10002.html ------------------------------------ Credit Bureaus ------------------------------------ You may need to contact the three major credit bureaus, first to obtain a copy of your credit report and then again to correct or amend that report to account for the damage done by the identity thief. Equifax http://www.equifax.com To order your report, call: 1-800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 To report fraud, call: 1-800-525-6285, or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241. Experian http://www.experian.com To order your report, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2104, Allen TX 75013 To report fraud, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen TX 75013. Transunion http://www.transunion.com To order your report, call: 800-916-8800 or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022. To report fraud, call: 1-800-680-7289 or write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634. ------------------------------------ Banking Agencies ------------------------------------ If you're having trouble getting your financial institution to help you resolve your banking-related identity theft problems including problems with bank-issued credit cards contact the agency with the appropriate jurisdiction. If you're not sure which agency has jurisdiction over your institution, call your bank or visit http://www.ffiec.gov/nic/default.htm ------------------------------------ Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) http://www.fdic.gov ------------------------------------ The FDIC supervises state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System and insures deposits at banks and savings and loans. Call the FDIC Consumer Call Center at 1-800- 934-3342, or write Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Division of Compliance and Consumer Affairs, 550 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20429. FDIC publications: Classic Cons and How to Counter Them http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsprg98/cons.html Pretext Calling and Identity Theft http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/fraud/Pretext.html Your Wallet: A Loser's Manual http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnfall97/wallet.html A Crook Has Drained Your Account. Who Pays? http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsprg98/crook.html ------------------------------------ Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) http://www.occ.treas.gov ------------------------------------ The OCC charters and supervises national banks. If the word "national" appears in the name of a bank, or the initials "N.A." follow its name, the OCC oversees its operations. Call 1-800-613-6743 (business days 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST), FAX 713-336-4301 or write to Customer Assistance Group, 1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3710, Houston, TX 77010. OCC publications: Check Fraud: A Guide to Avoiding Losses http://www.occ.treas.gov/chckfrd/idassume.htm Identity heft and Pretext Calling Advisory Letter http://www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/advisory/2001-4.doc How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft. http://www.occ.treas.gov/idtheft.pdf ------------------------------------ Department of Justice (DOJ) http://www.usdoj.gov ------------------------------------ The DOJ and its U.S. Attorneys prosecute federal identity theft cases. Information on identity theft is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html ------------------------------------ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) http://www.fbi.gov ------------------------------------ The FBI is one of the federal criminal law enforcement agencies that investigates cases of identity theft. Please take a look at the FBI publication: Protecting Yourself Against Identity Fraud http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/norfolk/1999/ident.htm ------------------------------------ U. S. Trustee (UST) http://www.usdoj.gov/ust ------------------------------------ If you believe someone has filed for bankruptcy using your name, write to the U.S. Trustee in the region where the bankruptcy was filed. A list of the U.S. Trustee's Regional Offices is available on the UST web site. Your letter should describe the situation and provide proof of your identity. The U.S. Trustee, if appropriate, will make a criminal referral to criminal law enforcement authorities if you provide appropriate documentation to substantiate your claim. You also may want to file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney and/or the FBI in the city where the bankruptcy was filed.