Horsham Township Library HTL Homepage » Fact Bytes » Identity Theft	Fact Byte Research
"Fact Bytes" are handy reference guides about timely, useful subjects. Each "Fact Byte" lists publications, websites, and organizations that can give you authoritative information. Topic: Identity Theft

Checking Your Credit Report

Your request must include your full name (including middle initial, Jr., Sr., or III if used), your address, your social security number, and your date of birth. You should specify which company's report your want. You can request all three at once, or space them out throughout the year.

The law does not require these companies to provide a free credit score (the three digit number that summarizes your record). Your credit score and other services are offered for a fee. Under the Federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003, the credit bureaus are required to provide one free credit report each year.

For more information concerning your rights to a free credit report, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at WWW.FTC.GOV

To receive a free credit report do not contact the companies directly. You must use the following contacts to receive a free report:

• By mail:
  
  Annual Credit Report Request Service
  P.O. Box 105281
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
  
  
• By toll-free telephone:
  
  1-877-322-8228
  
  
• Via the Internet:
  
  WWW.ANNUALCREDITREPORT.COM

Publications

Books:

CALL # 364.163 Hammond. Identity Theft: How to Protect Your Most Valuable Asset by Robert J. Hammond.

CALL # 323.4483 Gertler. Prying Eyes: Protect Your Privacy from People Who Sell to You, Snoop on You, and Steal from You. by Eric J. Gertler.

Articles:

"The ID Theft Protection Racket" by Pat Regnier and Amanda Gengler. Money, Sept. 2005, Vol. 34, Issue 9, p112-116.

"Phighting Phraud" by Larry Seltzer. PC Magazine, August 23, 2005, Vol 24., Issue 14, p72.

"ID Theft: It's Only a Matter of Time" by Carla Fried. Money, August 2005, Vol. 34, Issue 8, p27.

Websites & Electronic Resources

Identity Theft Resource Center. ITRC is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and implementing a comprehensive program against identity theft — by supporting victims, broadening public awareness, disseminating information about this crime and decreasing the potential victim population.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 26833, San Diego, CA 92196. Telephone: 858-693-7935.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: PRC is a nonprofit consumer information and advocacy program. It offers consumers a unique opportunity to learn how to protect their personal privacy.

Mailing address: 3100 - 5th Ave., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103.
Voice Telephone: (619) 298-3396, Fax: (619) 298-5681

Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group: a membership organization that advocates for the public interest in areas of consumer affairs, democratic government, and health care.

Mailing address: 1334 Walnut Street, 6th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Voice telephone: (215) 732-3747.

Anti-Phishing.Org: "phishing" involves the mass distribution of 'spoofed' e-mail messages with return addresses, links, and images that make them look as though they come from banks, insurance agencies, retailers or credit card companies. These fake messages are designed to fool recipients into giving personal data such as account usernames and passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc. Senders of these false messages use the personal data to steal identities and commit fraud. This website is sponsored by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), an industry association focused on eliminating the identity theft and fraud that result from the growing problem of phishing and email spoofing.