U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant

Identity Theft Forum - Colleyville

Irving, Texas, Oct 15 -

The office of Congressman Kenny Marchant recently hosted two identity theft prevention forums to provide residents of the 24^th District with information on ID theft, fraud prevention and action steps if victimized.

On Sept. 28, former FBI agent David Leopard and Grapevine police officer Kelly Smith spoke for the forum at Grapevine Senior Activities Center. Leopard also spoke for the Oct. 13 forum with Colleyville police officer Raymond Cannon at Colleyville Senior Center.

Identity theft takes place when an individual uses another person’s identifying information without permission. With stolen information, a thief can open credit cards and loans or withdraw from a Social Security fund or existing bank account. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as nine million Americans have their identity stolen each year with financial losses totaling into the billions.

If you are a victim of identity theft, contact the fraud hotlines of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax 800-525-6285; Experian 888-397-3742; or Trans Union 800-680-7289.

Other useful phone numbers:

• Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Hotline:  1-877-438-4338
• Social Security Fraud Hotline:  1-800-269-0271
• Texas No Call List: 1-866-896-6225   
• National Do Not Call Registry: 1-888-382-1222
• To stop credit card mail offers: 1-888-567-8688 or www.optoutprescreen.com

The identity theft prevention forums are free and open to the public. For information on future forums, please contact Marchant’s Irving office at (972) 556-0162.

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