Identity Theft

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="074285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Gordon R. Leech, Wisconsin Fair Credit, Injury & Employment Attorney</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gordon R. Leech, Wisconsin Fair Credit, "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="potential_claim_inquiry.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Potential Claim Inquiry"><U>Potential Claim Inquiry</U></A>   |   <A HREF="attorney_gordon_leech_biography.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Attorney Gordon Leechs Biography"><U>Attorney Gordon Leech's Biography</U></A>   |   <A HREF="credit_report_disputes__what_to_do__know_your_rights.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Credit Report Disputes Claims"><U>Credit Report Disputes & Claims</U></A>   |   <B>Identity Theft</B>   |   <A HREF="debt_collection_violations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Debt Collection Violations"><U>Debt Collection Violations</U></A>   |   <A HREF="your_rights_when_credit_card_bills_have_errors.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Credit Card Billing Errors"><U>Credit Card Billing Errors</U></A>   |   <A HREF="workers_rights_in_wisconsin___federal_law.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Your Rights In The Workplace"><U>Your Rights In The Workplace</U></A>   |   <A HREF="your_employment_rights_in_wisconsin__overtime_pay.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Employment Claims"><U>Employment Claims</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Unpaid Wage Claims"><U>Unpaid Wage Claims</U></A>   |   <A HREF="wisconsin_workers_compensation_claim_information.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Work Injury Claims"><U>Work Injury Claims</U></A>   |   <A HREF="reemployment_rights_of_uniformed_service_members.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reemployment Rights of Uniformed Service"><U>Reemployment Rights of Uniformed Service Members</U></A>   |   <A HREF="auto_fraud___deceptive_practices.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Auto Fraud"><U>Auto Fraud</U></A>   |   <A HREF="how_to_protect_your_rights.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Protect Your Rights"><U>How to Protect Your Rights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="workplace___consumer_news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News"><U>News</U></A>   |   <A HREF="helpful_links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Helpful Links"><U>Helpful Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="File Share"><U>File Share</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletter"><U>Newsletter</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Downloads"><U>Downloads</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="073d2c00dkelyh.png"> <div> Samster, Konkel & Safran, SC</div> <div> 1110 N. Old World Third St. #405</div> <div> Milwaukee, WI 53203</div> <div> Tel: 414-224-0400</div> <bR> <div> My Other Sites:</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.myfaircredit.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.myfaircredit.com"><U>www.MyFairCredit.com</U></A>, information on your consumer rights relating to Fair Credit Reporting and Obtaining Your Credit Reports.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.myfairdebt.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.myfairdebt.com"><U>www.MyFairDebt.com</U></A>, information on your consumer rights relating to Fair Debt Collection.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.skslawyers.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.skslawyers.com"><U>www.skslawyers.com</U></A>, information on the law firm of Samster, Konkel & Safran.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Potential claim?  </B><A HREF="potential_claim_inquiry.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Potential Claim Inquiry"><U><B>Click Here</B></U></A><B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Want to see our newsletter?  </B><A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletter"><U><B>Click Here</B></U></A><B>.</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Identity Theft</I></div> <div> Identity Theft is a growing problem with the increasing use of the internet and more sophisticated use of technology that may enable thieves to assume your identity and defraud both you and merchants.  The Federal Trade Commission has an excellent website with several publications relating to Identity Theft precautions, what to do if you are a victim, forms and contacts to assist you.  To visit the FTC website, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" >click here</FONT> or proceed to the "<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" >FTC Website on Identity Theft</FONT>" page in this website.</div> <bR> <div> If you are the victim of identity theft and are either being harassed by collectors or creditors for accounts fraudulently opened by the identity theif in your name or you cannot get the Consumer Reporting Agencies to remove these accounts from your credit reports, you may have claims under the Fair Debt Collection law or the Fair Credit Reporting law.  To learn more about how to handle these issues, visit the Debt Collection Violations page on this website by clicking below and the Credit Report Disputes & Claims page by clicking below.  For some specific information on what you can do about credit report problems and debt collection problems due to identity theft, you can review the excerpts below taken from the FTC publication on Identity Theft.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="debt_collection_violations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Debt Collection Violations"><U>Fair Debt Collection page</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="credit_report_disputes__what_to_do__know_your_rights.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Credit Report Disputes Claims"><U>Fair Credit Reporting page</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Downloads"><U>Click here to download Identity Theft Forms and the FTC Essential Publication on Identity Theft.</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Links to Excerpts below from the FTC:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#consumer_reportingcredit_report_issues_1" TITLE="Identity Theft"><U><B>Consumer Reporting/Credit Report Issues Excerpts</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#debt_collection_issues" TITLE="Identity Theft"><U><B>Debt Collection Issues Excerpts</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#credit_freeze_protection" TITLE="Identity Theft"><U><B>Credit Freeze Protection</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="consumer_reportingcredit_report_issues_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Consumer Reporting/Credit Report Issues</B></div> <div> <B>Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports</B></div> <div> The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) establishes procedures for correcting</div> <div> fraudulent information on your credit report and requires that your report be</div> <div> made available only for certain legitimate business needs.</div> <div> Under the FCRA, both the consumer reporting company and the information</div> <div> provider (the business that sent the information to the consumer reporting</div> <div> company), such as a bank or credit card company, are responsible for correcting</div> <div> fraudulent information in your report. To protect your rights under the law,</div> <div> contact both the consumer reporting company and the information provider.</div> <div> <B>Consumer Reporting Company Obligations</B></div> <div> Consumer reporting companies will block fraudulent information from</div> <div> appearing on your credit report if you take the following steps: Send them a</div> <div> copy of an identity theft report (see page 9) and a letter telling them what</div> <div> information is fraudulent. The letter also should state that the information</div> <div> does not relate to any transaction that you made or authorized. In addition,</div> <div> provide proof of your identity that may include your SSN, name, address, and</div> <div> other personal information requested by the consumer reporting company.</div> <div> The consumer reporting company has four business days to block the fraudulent</div> <div> information after accepting your identity theft report. It also must tell the information</div> <div> provider that it has blocked the information. The consumer reporting</div> <div> company may refuse to block the information or remove the block if, for</div> <div> example, you have not told the truth about your identity theft. If the consumer</div> <div> reporting company removes the block or refuses to place the block, it must let</div> <div> you know.</div> <div> The blocking process is only one way for identity theft victims to deal with</div> <div> fraudulent information. There’s also the “reinvestigation process,” which was</div> <div> designed to help all consumers dispute errors or inaccuracies on their credit</div> <div> reports. For more information on this process, see <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Italic" ><I>How to Dispute Credit Report</I></FONT></div> <div> <I>Errors </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Roman" >and </FONT><I>Your Access to Free Credit Reports</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Roman" >, two publications from the FTC at</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft"><U>www.consumer.gov/idtheft</U></A>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Sample Blocking Letter to CRA </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Roman" ><A HREF="id35_identity_theft.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Downloads"><U><B>[Click here to download this sample letter]</B></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Date</div> <bR> <div> Your Name</div> <div> Your Address</div> <div> Your City, State, Zip Code</div> <bR> <div> Complaint Department</div> <div> Name of Consumer Reporting Company</div> <div> Address</div> <div> City, State, Zip Code</div> <bR> <div> Dear Sir or Madam:</div> <bR> <div> I am a victim of identity theft. I am writing to request that you block the</div> <div> following fraudulent information in my file. This information does not</div> <div> relate to any transaction that I have made. The items also are circled on</div> <div> the attached copy of the report I received. (Identify item(s) to be blocked</div> <div> by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item,</div> <div> such as credit account, judgment, etc.)</div> <bR> <div> Enclosed is a copy of the law enforcement report regarding my identity</div> <div> theft. Please let me know if you need any other information from me to</div> <div> block this information on my credit report.</div> <bR> <div> Sincerely,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Your name</div> <bR> <div> Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing.)</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="debt_collection_issues"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Debt Collection Issues </B><A HREF="id36_m.htm" TITLE="Identity Theft"><U><B>[Back to Top]</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Information Provider Obligations</B></div> <div> Information providers stop reporting fraudulent information to the consumer</div> <div> reporting companies once you send them an identity theft report and a letter</div> <div> explaining that the information they’re reporting resulted from identity theft.</div> <div> But you must send your identity theft report and letter to the address specified</div> <div> by the information provider. Note that the information provider may continue</div> <div> to report the information if it later learns that the information does not result</div> <div> from identity theft.</div> <div> If a consumer reporting company tells an information provider that it has</div> <div> blocked fraudulent information in your credit report, the information provider</div> <div> may not continue to report that information to the consumer reporting company.</div> <div> The information provider also may not hire someone to collect the debt that</div> <div> relates to the fraudulent account, or sell that debt to anyone else who would</div> <div> try to collect it.</div> <div> <B>Credit Cards</B></div> <div> The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures for resolving billing errors</div> <div> on your credit card accounts, including fraudulent charges on your accounts.</div> <div> The law also limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges to $50</div> <div> per card. To take advantage of the law’s consumer protections, you <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Bold" ><B>must</B></FONT>:</div> <div> • write to the creditor at the address given for “billing inquiries,” NOT the</div> <div> address for sending your payments. Include your name, address, account</div> <div> number, and a description of the billing error, including the amount and</div> <div> date of the error. A sample letter is on page 20.</div> <div> • send your letter so that it reaches the creditor within 60 days after the first</div> <div> bill containing the error was mailed to you. If an identity thief changed the</div> <div> address on your account and you didn’t receive the bill, your dispute letter</div> <div> still must reach the creditor within 60 days of when the creditor would have</div> <div> mailed the bill. This is one reason it’s essential to keep track of your billing</div> <div> statements, and follow up quickly if your bills don’t arrive on time.</div> <div> You should send your letter by certified mail, and request a return receipt.</div> <div> It becomes your proof of the date the creditor received the letter. Include</div> <div> copies (NOT originals) of your police report or other documents that</div> <div> support your position. Keep a copy of your dispute letter.</div> <div> The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days after</div> <div> receiving it, unless the problem has been resolved. The creditor must resolve</div> <div> the dispute within two billing cycles (but not more than 90 days) after receiving</div> <div> your letter.</div> <div> For more information, see <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Italic" ><I>Fair Credit Billing </I></FONT>and <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Italic" ><I>Avoiding Credit and Charge</I></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="NewBaskervilleStd-Italic" ><I>Card Fraud</I></FONT>, two publications from the FTC at <A HREF="http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft"><U>www.consumer.gov/idtheft</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Sample Dispute Letter to Credit Card Company for Fraudulent Charge </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id35_identity_theft.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Downloads"><U><B>[Click here to download sample letter]</B></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Date</div> <bR> <div> Your Name</div> <div> Your Address</div> <div> Your City, State, Zip Code</div> <bR> <div> Your Account Number</div> <bR> <div> Name of Creditor</div> <div> Billing Inquiries</div> <div> Address</div> <div> City, State, Zip Code</div> <bR> <div> Dear Sir or Madam:</div> <bR> <div> I am writing to dispute a fraudulent (charge or debit) on my account in the</div> <div> amount of $______. I am a victim of identity theft, and I did not make this</div> <div> (charge or debit). I am requesting that the (charge be removed or the debit</div> <div> reinstated), that any finance and other charges related to the fraudulent</div> <div> amount be credited, as well, and that I receive an accurate statement.</div> <bR> <div> Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence to describe any enclosed information,</div> <div> such as a police report) supporting my position. Please investigate this matter</div> <div> and correct the fraudulent (charge or debit) as soon as possible.</div> <bR> <div> Sincerely,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Your name</div> <bR> <div> Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing.)</div> <bR> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="id36_m.htm" TITLE="Identity Theft"><U><B>[Back to Top]</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="credit_freeze_protection"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Credit Freeze Protection </B><A HREF="id36_m.htm" TITLE="Identity Theft"><U><B>[Back to Top]</B></U></A></div> <div> What is a Credit Freeze?  It is a safety measure that you can put in place with the Credit Reporting Agencies to help prevent theft of your identify or misuse of your credit file.  Wisconsin law provides that any consumer can lock access to his or her consumer credit report and credit score unless the consumer specifically authorizes someone access to his or her credit file through the use of a personal identification number.  Victims of identity theft can place a security freeze on their consumer file without charge upon submitting to the consumer reporting agency satisfactory evidence, typically a fraud report filed with local police, reflecting the theft of his or her identity.  All other consumers pay a $10 fee to place, temporarily lift or remove the freeze altogether.  The freeze is permanent until the consumer requests removal.  See Wisconsin Statutes sec. 138.25.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id36_m.htm" TITLE="Identity Theft"><U>[Back to Top]</U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Attorney Gordon R. Leech</div> <div> Samster, Konkel & Safran, SC</div> <div> 1110 N. Old World Third St., Suite 405</div> <div> Milwaukee, WI 53203</div> <div> Tel: 414-224-0400</div> <div> Email: <A HREF="mailto:gleech@attorneyleech.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:gleech@attorneyleech.com"><U>gleech@AttorneyLeech.com</U></A></div> <div> Web: www.AttorneyLeech.com; <A HREF="http://www.myfaircredit.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.myfaircredit.com"><U>www.MyFairCredit.com</U></A>; <A HREF="http://www.skslawyers.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.skslawyers.com"><U>www.SKSLawyers.com</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>