Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Who can I contact to check on stolen identity? I renewed my driver's license recently at City Square and the clerk informed me I had the same first, middle and last names as another man, and we were born on the same day, month and year. Our heights also were about the same. The only thing different was our Social Security numbers. Now that we don't have to put our Social Security number on our licenses, I would like to know which agency I can call to check on possible stolen identity. Here’s what to do
if your identity
has been stolenAnswer: We generally answered this question last November, but it might be timely to repeat the tips given by experts since, as reported in last week's Star-Bulletin, identity theft is becoming a problem in Hawaii as elsewhere.
You're advised to check regularly with the three major credit reporting agencies (also referred to as credit bureaus) and to review your Social Security earnings record regularly.
If someone is using your identity, the credit reports should reveal any unauthorized transaction.
Credit bureaus gather detailed information on how people use credit, then sell this information to banks, retailers or credit card companies. Credit-granting businesses, in turn, regularly share their credit information with the bureaus.
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to review information on file at a credit reporting agency. Specifically, access to that file will help determine if you have been denied credit based on information in your file.
The major credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. To order a credit report, call 1-800-685-1111 for Equifax; 1-888-397-3742 for Experian (formerly TRW); and 1-800-916-8800 for Trans Union.
You may be charged a fee ($2-$20) for a report, although the fee may be waived in some cases.
If you become a victim of identity theft, not only should you immediately call police, and bank/credit card companies, you should also contact the fraud unit of the credit bureaus. You should ask that a fraud alert be placed in your file, as well as a statement that creditors should call you before opening any new accounts or changing existing accounts. (To report fraud, call 1-800-525-6285 for Equifax; 1-888-397-3742, Experian; and 1-800-680-7289, Trans Union.)
If you're 25 years old or older, you should be receiving annual earnings reports from the Social Security Administration. If the earnings are higher than you expect, that could indicate someone is working under your number. If you don't receive a report, call 1-800-772-1213 to request Form 7004. You also can download an application from www.ssa.gov or visit the local SSA office.
If you suspect misuse of your Social Security number, call the fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
However, if your number has been misused by someone to get credit, don't call the SSA, which says it cannot fix anyone's credit record. That has to be done through the credit card companies and credit bureaus.
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com