Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2024 December)
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. It occurs when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. You may not discover that you are a victim of identity theft right away so be on the lookout for these warning signs:
- You receive bills for items that you did not purchase.
- Debt collectors call you about accounts you did not open.
- Accounts appear on your credit report that you did not open.
- Your loan applications are denied.
- Your mail stops coming to your home or is missing from your mailbox.
If you believe that you are the victim of identity theft, you should immediately:
- Notify the fraud departments at your bank or credit union, credit card company, and other places where you have accounts.
- Contact the three credit bureaus – Equifax (equifax.com,) Experian (experian.com,) and Trans Union (transunion.com) – to notify them that you are a victim of identity theft. Have them place fraud alerts and a credit freeze on your accounts.
- File a criminal complaint with your local police or sheriff's department. To file a report with the Fairfax County Police Department, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/police/HowDoI/FinancialCrimes or call the non-emergency line at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.
- File a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov if you fall victim to identity theft while using the Internet.
- If your social security number has been compromised, contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov.
- Request an Identity Theft Passport from the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
What is an Identity Theft Passport and How Do I Request One?
The Identity Theft Passport, available through the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, is a card that you can carry and present to law enforcement or other individuals who may challenge you about your identity should you become the victim of identity crime. It is designed to serve as a shield to protect victims from unlawful detention or arrest for crimes committed by someone else under a stolen identity. The passport is available to any Virginian who has filed a police report because they believe they are a victim of identity crime and/or has obtained a court order expunging their record as a result of identity crime.
To apply for an Identity Theft Passport, visit oag.state.va.us/programs-outreach/identity-theft to download the application. Applications can be sent to the Office of the Attorney General via mail, email or fax. The application is also available at all DMV offices. Victims may fill out the application and, after presenting a valid ID, DMV can submit the application on their behalf.
To learn more about the Identity Theft Passport and resources on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, visit oag.state.va.us/programs-outreach/identity-theft.
Additional identity theft resources are available from the Federal Trade Commission. Visit consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft to learn more.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).