ID Theft
Attorney General Roy Cooper is working to fight identity theft through tougher law enforcement, more consumer education and cooperation with banks and businesses to better safeguard your personal information.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft happens when a criminal steals some piece of personal information about you and uses it to commit fraud in your name. The thief may steal information such as Social Security numbers, date of birth, account numbers, and even your mother's maiden name. This information can be used to gain access to existing accounts, apply for credit, or to avoid being charged with a crime.
Approximately 300,000 North Carolinians have their identity stolen each year. A typical victim spends on average $800 and 175 hours over 23 months to clean up his or her credit and erase $18,000 in fraudulent charges. Identity theft is also bad for business, costing businesses billions per year. Facts about ID theft (Requires Acrobat Reader)
How
to Protect Your Good Name: (Requires
Acrobat Reader)
Provides tips for consumers from Attorney General Roy Cooper
En
Español: Como Proteger Su Buen Nombre
Protect
Yourself Online: (Requires Acrobat Reader)
Provides tips for internet users from Attorney General Roy Cooper
How
to Freeze Your Credit: (Requires Acrobat Reader)
Provides tips for consumers from Attorney General Roy Cooper
Sample letter to request a credit freeze (Requires Acrobat Reader)
Request a free annual copy of your credit report(Requires Acrobat Reader)
Victim Resources
Steps
To Take When Your Identity Has Been Stolen: (Requires Acrobat Reader)
Provides tips for financial identity victims by Attorney General Roy Cooper
En
Español: Pasos tomar cuando su identidad ha sido robada
ID Theft Victim Kit (Requires Acrobat Reader)
FTC's ID Theft Affidavit (Requires Acrobat Reader)
Steps To Take When Your Identity Has Been Used Criminally (Requires Acrobat Reader) Provides tips for victims charged criminally from Attorney General Roy Cooper
Form for Expungement (Requires Acrobat Reader)
Helpful Links and Resources:
Federal Trade Commission: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Internet Fraud Complaint Center: www.ifccfbi.gov
Credit Bureaus: www.equifax.com; www.experian.com; www.transunion.com