Identity Theft

Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor
Baltimore , MD 21202

Telephone:                (410) 576-6550
Complaint hotline:    (410) 528-8662
(toll-free):                  1-888-743-0023

http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/idtheft.htm  

 

 

Comments: While the Consumer Protection Division does not help individual consumers resolve identity theft problems, you can find helpful information about resolving financial and other problems caused by the theft. The Maryland Attorney General's Office offers a free publication called "Identity Theft: What to Do If It Happens to You". Request it by calling (410) 576-6500 or find it online at http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/idtheft.htm. 

 

Federal Trade Commission

CRC-240

Washington , D.C. 20580

Identity Theft Hotline: 1-887-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338)

1-866-653-4261 TYY  

www.ftc.gov

Comments: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also has a wealth of information about identity theft available, including an "Identity Theft Clearinghouse" at its website http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. While the FTC does take complaints, these are used for informational purposes only. The FTC does not help individual consumers resolve identity theft problems.   

Return to MD Consumers' "Complain to a Public Agency or Non-Profit " page

 

For More Information about Identity Theft and Privacy Issues, Contact: 

 

Private Citizen, Inc.

          P.O. Box 233

          Naperville, Illinois 60566

          Phone 630-393-2370

          Website: http://www.private-citizen.com/

 

Comments: Private Citizen is a non-profit dedicated to fighting abusive practices by direct marketers. 

 

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
          1717 Kettner Ave., Suite 105
          San Diego, CA 92101
          (619) 298-3396
          Website: www.privacyrights.org  

 

Comments: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a consumer education, research and advocacy non profit which strives to inform consumers about how to control their personal information.

 

 

More Tips on What to Do if You Suspect Identity Theft

 

What to do if you lose your wallet or suspect identity theft has already occurred:

 

  • call to cancel each credit card missing

  • call the Maryland MVA to tell them your license is missing, and to see if you qualify for a new drivers license number. Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration 1-800-950-1682

  • call the three national credit reporting agencies and place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert informs prospective creditors that your information has been stolen, and they will need to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. This way, thieves will not be able to apply for “instant” credit using your information!

                              Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

                              Experian: 1-888-397-3742

                              Trans Union : 1-800-269-0271

  • call the Social Security Administration to notify them if your Social Security card is missing or if you suspect identity theft.  Social Security Administration (Fraud line) 1-800-269-0271  

Prevention Tips:

1. The first step in preventing identity theft is keeping good records. Make copies of both sides of each license, credit card, bank card and keep them in a safe place. Also, keep your Social Security card in a secure place instead of in your wallet. 

2. Stop unsolicited credit offers. Write to the three major credit bureaus, and ask them to remove your name from pre-approved credit offers. Make sure to include your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address.

Equifax Options
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

Experian
Consumer Opt Out
P.O. Box 919
Allen, TX 75013

Trans Union LLC’s 
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 97328
Jackson, MS 39288-7328

1-888-5OPTOUT (567-8688)

 

Return to MD Consumers' "Complain to a Public Agency or Non-Profit " page