Protect Yourself From Identity Theft This Holiday Season

With millions of Americans falling victim to identity theft each year, it is the fastest growing crime in this country. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the number of identity thefts has reached nearly 10 million per year and it takes the average victim an estimated $500 to resolve each crime. It is important to note, however, that cases of identity theft can be resolved if they are caught early.

That is why as we enter the holiday season, it is important that Ohioans take the necessary steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim of identity theft. This past month, my office hosted an Identity Theft and Scam Prevention Forum to connect Northeast Ohioans with information and available resources at the federal, state, and local levels. We had representatives from the Federal Trade Commission, United States Postal Inspection Service, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, and the Rocky River Police Department on hand to give presentations and answer questions. Topics included identity theft, credit and loan officers, medical discount plans, travel scams, telemarketing and robocalls, government grant scams, sweepstakes and lotteries, and charities and fundraising fraud.

For those who were unable to attend the event, I want to relay to you some of the precautionary measures that were shared at our event. This includes never giving out personal information unless you know who is asking for it and why they need it. It is important that you receive your free annual credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com and review it carefully. Additionally, check your bank statements regularly and be aware that you typically must file a dispute within 60 days. Be sure to shred documents with your information before throwing them away. Never click on links sent in unsolicited email. Lastly, it is best to not carry all your credit cards with you at one time, only the ones you believe you will be using.

Warning signs of identity theft include denied credit, unauthorized charges, unfamiliar bills, and contact from debt collectors. In order to prepare yourself this holiday season, you may also visit OnGuardOnline.gov for practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. You can also take their tests to learn how to avoid becoming a victim of phishing, spam, spyware and other online scams.

If you believe that you may be a victim of identity theft, there are resources available to you. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s Office has created an Identity Theft Unit to help victims of identity theft by working with credit reporting agencies, creditors, collectors, and any other entity who may have information that was obtained under fraudulent circumstances. The unit currently offers two programs: Traditional Assistance and Self-Help Assistance. Under Self-Help Assistance, you may receive a step-by-step guide to attempt to rectify the effects of identity theft yourself. This includes information and form letters to dispute charges and a consumer advocate to help you navigate the process. Under Traditional Assistance, a consumer advocate will work with creditors, credit agencies, and collectors on your behalf. In order to receive traditional assistance, you must submit a copy of a policy report, identity theft affidavit, and an identity theft notification form to the Ohio Attorney General's office. You may also contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Response Center at (877) FTC-HELP/(877) 382-4357 to speak with an FTC counselor for guidance.

If our office can be of assistance to you, please don't hesitate to call us at our Wadsworth office: (330) 334-0040, Parma office: (440) 882-6779, or Washington office: (202) 225-3876. I also encourage you to visit our website at renacci.house.gov and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages to get the latest updates on my work in Washington and Ohio's 16th District.