Resources and Advice

Here are some helpful resources for credit information and identity theft. FTC Brochure: ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name FTC Identity Theft Web site Identity Theft Resource Center Here is a list of the three major credit bureaus: Request a copy of credit report Fraud Units Experian www.experian.com 888-397-3742 888-397-3742 Equifax www.equifax.com 800-685-1111 800-525-6285 TransUnion www.transunion.com 800-916-8800 800-680-7289 Social Security Number Advice You are required to provide your SSN for: Income tax records Medical records Credit bureau reports College records Loan applications Vehicle registrations You can and may want to refuse to provide your SSN in these situations: As driver's license number (in most states) On personal checks Over the phone On club memberships On address labels As identification for store purchases/refunds As general identification