What do I need to do if I discover a forged check in my monthly statement?

1. First step is to advise the financial institution of the forgery. (An affidavit of forgery will be prepared by the financial institute.)
2. File a report with the local law enforcement agency.
3. Keep written documentation of all contacts made with your financial institution and the Law Enforcement agency investigating the incident.

Who investigates non-sufficient-fund checks (NSF) account-closed checks?

Non-sufficient-fund checks (NSF) are handled by the District Attorneys Office.

Account closed checks are handled by the local law enforcement agency.

What can I do about "identity theft?"

If you become the victim of identity theft, it is important to act immediately to stop the thief's further use of your identity.

1. Have a written report filed with your local law enforcement agency.
2. Notify the three major credit bureaus to place a "fraud Alert' on your account. (This will stop any further problems from occurring.)
3. Contact the Federal Trade Commission and file a report.
4. Keep written documentation of all contacts made.
5. Immediately contact all your credit card users. Get replacement cards with new account numbers. Ask that the old accounts be processed as "account closed at consumer's request." (This is better than "card lost or stolen," because when this statement is reported to credit bureaus, it can be interpreted as blaming you for the loss.)

Call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies: TRW, Equifax, and Trans Union. Report the theft of your credit cards and/or numbers. Ask that you're accounts be flagged. Also, add a victim's statement to your report such as, "My ID has been used to apply for credit fraudulently. Contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX (your phone number) to verify all applications."

Notify your bank(s) of the theft. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. Ask the bank to issue you a secret password that must be used in every transaction. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of.

If you use the ATM card for banking services, get a new card, account number, and password. Do not use your old password. When creating a password, avoid such commonly used numbers as the last four digits of your Social Security number and your birth date.

If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to Telecheck and National Processing Company (NPC). These checks guarantee companies will flag your file so that bogus checks will be turned down. Call Telecheck at 800-366-2425. Call NPC at 800-526-5380.

The Secret Service has jurisdiction over financial fraud cases. This federal government agency usually does not investigate individual cases unless the dollar amount is very high. To interest the Secret Service in your case, ask someone in the fraud department of your credit card companies and/or banks to notify the particular SS agent they work with.

Notify the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General if your SSN has been used fraudulently. You may want to have your SSN changed if your number has become associated with bad checks and credit. CAUTION: This step should be reserved for only the most extreme situations. You must be sure to notify all credit grantors and credit reporting bureaus of your new SSN.

If you have a passport, notify the passport office to be on the look out for anyone ordering a new passport fraudulently.

Call your telephone, electrical, gas and water utilities. Alert them to the possibility that someone may attempt to open new service using your identification. Also contact your long distance company.

The nearest office of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service might be able to help you remove fraudulent claims from your credit report. Call 1-888-845-5669.

In dealing with the authorities and financial institutions, keep a log of all conversations, including dates and names. Send correspondence by certified mail. Keep copies of all letters and documents. Provide your police report number to expedite reporting the crime.

Use this form to record the steps you have taken to report the fraudulent use of your identity.

Keep this form in a safe place.

Credit Bureaus / Report Fraud:

Banks, Credit Card Issuers and Other Creditors: 

 Law Enforcement Authorities ? Report Identity Theft:

Consider seeking legal counsel, especially if you have difficulty clearing up your credit history, or your case is complex and involves a lot of money. An attorney can help you recover from the fraud and determine whether your rights under various credit banking, SSN, and other laws have been violated.

Pay attention to your own mental health. Victims of identity theft report that they often feel they are somehow to blame. They can also feel violated, even powerless, due in large part to the fact that few, if any, of the authorities who have been notified of the crime step forward to help the victim. Discuss your situation with a trusted friend or counselor. Seek help from a victims rights organization.

Federal Trade Commission

1-877-IDTHEFT or 1-877-438-4338 or www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Credit Reporting Bureaus

• Equifax
  • Copy of Report: P.O. Box 74024 , Atlanta , GA 30374-0241
  • Dispute Report: P.O. Box 740256 , Atlanta , GA 30374-0256
  • Order Credit Report: 800-685-1111
  • Opt Out of Marketing Lists: 800-219-1251
  • Report Fraud: 800-525-6285
• Trans Union
  • Copy of Report: P.O. Box 7000, North Olmstead , OH 44070
  • Dispute Report: P.O. Box 2104 , Allen , TX 75013-2104
  • Order Credit Report: 888-397-3742
  • Opt Out of Marketing Lists: 800-353-0809

Remember, if you have been denied credit, you are entitled to a free credit report.

Social Security Administration

To order Earnings and Benefits Statement, or to report fraudulent use of SSN, call 800-772-1213.

To remove your name from mailing lists (Direct Marketing Association) Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008 Farmingdale, NY 11735

To report fraudulent use of your checks call Telecheck 800-366-2425 or National Processing Company (NPC) 800-526-5380.