Identity Theft

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of people's identifying information in order to impersonate them or utilize their financial resources. With this information, thieves are able to take control over the victims' financial accounts, use their credit cards, open new bank accounts and cause financial turmoil in their lives.

Crimes such as the theft of credit cards, applying for a loan under another person's identity, and obtaining immediate credit using the name of another person are all examples of identity theft.

If you have been a victim, you are not alone. There are thousands of identity theft victims in Massachusetts ever year! The members of the Rockland Police Department will do everything in our power to successfully resolve this crime, and to assist you in every way we can.

Preventing Identity Theft - Do

  • Protect your mail by removing it from your mailbox as soon as possible.
  • Buy a shredder. It is a small price to pay for protecting your identity and financial information.
  • Shred all paperwork with any personally identifying information, especially documents with your Social Security number and/or date of birth. Shred all receipts containing credit card numbers, banking information, credit card offers or any other financial documents.
  • Protect your wallet/purse. Never leave them unattended.
  • Carefully review your monthly statements from financial institutions looking for irregularities or fraudulent activity.
  • There are many services that will monitor your credit and notify you of unusual or suspicious activity. There is a fee for these services, but they may save you from headaches later.
  • Be careful when making purchases or sending information over the internet. Ensure that the website you are sending information to is secure and uses up to date encryption methods.

Preventing Identity Theft - Don't

  • Give out personal information in response to unsolicited offers by pone, mail, internet or in person.
  • Use your Social Security number unless you have to. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will assign you a random license number in lieu of using your Social Security number.
  • Fill out warranty cards for items you purchased or enter sweepstakes. Such information is often sold to others as a marketing tool.
  • Personal identifiers, account numbers, and other private information should never be provided to someone unless you can ensure the information will be secure. Know the person or company to whom you gave information and ask what the person or company will do with the information.

If You Have Been a Victim

  • Call your local police department or visit the station, and an officer will take a report.
  • Contact any of the three major credit bureaus and ask that they place a "fraud alert" on your credit report. The three credit bureaus share information, so you only need to contact one of them.
    • Equifax Credit Information Services
      P.O. Box 740241
      Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
      Phone: 800-525-6285
    • Experian Information Solutions
      P.O. Box 9530
      Allen, TX 75013
      Phone: 888-397-3742
    • TransUnion
      Fraud Victims Assistance Division
      P.O. Box 6790
      Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
      Phone: 800-680-7289
  • Contact the fraud department at each creditor or bank that provided the thief with unauthorized credit, goods or services. Provide them with the police department's case number. Keep detailed records of these conversations.
  • Contact financial institutions with which you have open accounts, even if these accounts have not yet been accessed or used fraudulently. Explain the situation to them. You may need to close these accounts or change the account numbers.
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online and report the case. The FTC maintains an Identity Theft Data Clearing House and provides information to identify theft victims:
    • Identity Theft Clearing House
      Federal Trade Commission
      600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
      Washington, DC 20580
  • Organize and keep a detailed log of all of your contacts and make copies of all documents. Make sure that you document the names of people you speak with and the time and date of your conversations.