Fraud and identity theft can happen to anyone. This page offers helpful information to recognize common scams, avoid credit card fraud, and understand your rights if your identity is stolen.
You'll also find resources from the Idaho Consumer Protection Manual and guidance on how to file a consumer complaint. Whether you're dealing with suspicious charges or want to learn how to protect your personal information, we're here to help you stay informed.
Consumer fraud is a serious problem in Idaho, but, fortunately, it is often a preventable problem. As a consumer, you can protect yourself from fraud by understanding your rights and by making informed and intelligent decisions.
Credit and charge card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. While theft is the most obvious form of fraud, it can occur in other ways. For example, someone may use your card number without your knowledge.
It’s not always possible to prevent credit or charge card fraud from happening. But there are a few steps you can take to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers and minimize the possibility.
At times we find ourselves in a difficult situation involving our bank, a large business, etc. and don’t know what to do. Calling customer service hasn’t led to any real results so you may be asking yourself what to do next? Below you will find a number of institutions both governmental and private that specialize in helping you to file a complaint.
These institutions are similar to leaving a review on Google or Yelp except they work resolve the issue. As such, they are not places for a person to rant and rave about how terrible the service at a restaurant was, but rather to help a person that was a victim of a shady business, or to get help when a financial institution (like a bank) has mistreated someone.
They are not law enforcement agencies imposing a punishment onto these businesses, but rather helping to add authority to your complaint.
If your issue cannot be solved after submitting a complaint through one or more of these resources, it is recommended to seek legal help from a private attorney. Review the document below for links to the agencies that may be able to help if you submit a complaint. These agencies include:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Help with my Bank
- Federal Trade Commission Complaint
- Idaho Attorney General Consumer Protection Complaint
- Better Business Bureau Complaint
For more information on common financial scams and how to report them to the appropriate agencies or officials, please review our Common Financial Scams Flyer or Brochure below.
For other information regarding common digital scams, please visit: https://www.seniorlifestyle.com/resources/blog/protect-your-parents-from-common-digital-traps/.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity Theft is the largest consumer complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) annually. If you have been the victim of identity theft, it could mean someone has used your name to:
- make purchases
- get credit cards
- rent an apartment or
- obtain utilities without your permission
In some cases, thieves may have received medical services in your name, re-routed your tax refund, or even impersonated you during contact with law enforcement.
Identity theft may also include someone using checks on your account. This could be from stealing your checkbook or electronically obtaining access to your checking account.
Use of an ATM card or credit card that you did not approve is also identity theft. In some cases, identity theft occurs within families to children, seniors, and domestic violence survivors, making reporting and recovery especially difficult.
How Might Identity Theft Impact Me?
Even if you are able to resolve a financial identity theft issue with your bank, this use of your name and credit history can result in you getting collection letters for things you did not purchase.
It can also result in unfavorable entries on your credit report, causing you problems in getting credit or paying a higher interest rate. Becoming the victim of an identity theft can be a complicated and frustrating time in your life.
What Can I Do?
The Federal Trade Commission has created letters (in this booklet) that consumers can use to notify a debt collector or credit bureau of the theft of your identity. To use the letters, you must first report the crime of identity theft to the police.
You do not need to know the name of the person who used your identity. You show the police the debt collection letters or other confirmation that you are the victim of this crime.
The three forms below use the FTC-created material. You can also visit the National Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network to learn more.
This material was produced in part by the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc. under award #2010-VF-GX-K030, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, these materials including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided.
For more information on the project or regarding identity theft, you can go to identitytheftnetwork.org.
Idaho Coalition Against Identity Theft seeks to provide a coordinated community response to better assist victims of identity theft in our state.
WHAT VICTIMS CAN DO
- Place a Fraud Alert on your credit reports by contacting one of the credit reporting agencies (“CRA’s”) listed on the back of this brochure.
- Request your free credit reports.
- Call all companies where an account has been misused or opened fraudulently. Close or flag as necessary. Follow up in writing, enclosing an Affidavit.
- Call your financial institution to review your accounts for suspicious activity.
- Report to the Federal Trade Commission. File a complaint online at www.ftc.gov. Enclose a copy of the complaint, called an ‘FTC Affidavit,’ with your letters to companies and CRAs. Provide a copy to the police if you file a police report.
- File a report with Police. Request a police report even if they are unable to investigate further. Ask police to attach your FTC Affidavit to the report.
To fix mistakes on your credit report, send a copy of the report to each CRA and any company that provided the inaccurate information.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ICAIT MEMBERS
Adult Protection Services, Area Agency on Aging, Area III 208-322-7033 or via https://aging.idaho.gov/aaa/PSA3.html .
Adult Protection investigates allegations of exploitation of vulnerable adults 18 years of age and older. Works with law enforcement to substantiate crimes and has case managers who assist in obtaining support services for elderly clients. Cannot respond after hours but they do have an emergency hotline. Area III covers: Ada, Gem, Canyon, Owyhee, Elmore, Washington, Boise, Adams, Valley, & Payette counties.
Better Business Bureau Snake River Region 1-800-218-1001 http://snake-river.bbb.org/
BBB staff can provide reference materials such as FTC pamphlets, general information and guidance on what to do if ID theft happens to you. The BBB conducts two free shred events every year to help consumers protect their personal information from ID thieves. BBB can do speaking engagements on Identity Theft for businesses and consumers as part of their ongoing outreach.
Idaho Attorney General’s Office — Consumer Protection Division
Phone: 208-334-2424
Website: www.ag.idaho.gov
The Attorney General’s office can answer basic consumer questions about Idaho’s identity theft laws and can direct consumers to other resources, such as the FTC or law enforcement. The Consumer Protection Division publishes an Identity Theft Manual (available through the AG’s website). The Division’s informal dispute resolution service may assist in some situations involving identity theft-related disputes with consumer reporting agencies or creditors.
The AG’s office cannot provide legal advice or representation to individual consumers; its primary identity theft service is education.
Idaho Department of Finance (DOF)
Phone: 208-332-8000
Website: finance.idaho.gov
DOF staff provide guidance and referrals to people who may be victims of identity theft, including information on how to protect yourself. DOF can also provide speakers for groups interested in presentations about identity theft or other financial services topics.
DOF may provide assistance when identity theft involves a DOF licensee, such as regulated lenders, collection agencies, escrow agencies, mortgage brokers/lenders/loan originators, state-chartered banks and credit unions, credit counselors, debt settlement agencies, securities brokers/agents, money services businesses, and credit repair organizations (but not federally-chartered financial institutions).
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)
IRS Identity Theft Hotline: 1-800-908-4490
Taxpayer Advocate: 1-877-777-4778
Website: www.irs.gov
Victims of identity theft are encouraged to contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) can help resolve tax problems when normal IRS channels are not working for a consumer.
United States Attorney’s Office — District of Idaho
Website: www.justice.gov/usao/id/
The U.S. Attorney’s Office provides services to individuals identified as victims in a case the office is prosecuting. Services may include notification of court proceedings, notice of victims’ rights, victim impact statements, referrals, and (upon request) employer/creditor notification. If someone who is not an identified victim calls seeking information, the office provides limited information and appropriate referrals.
Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. (ILAS)
Website: www.idaholegalaid.org
ILAS staff have been trained to guide victims of identity theft. When someone calls any Idaho Legal Aid Services office, they will be told steps they can take and referred to the FTC’s website for additional information and access to the identity theft affidavit.
ILAS does not currently have funding to represent identity theft victims unless the victim qualifies under a grant that allows extended services (for example, a low-income senior or low-income domestic violence survivor).
Idaho State Tax Commission
Phone: 208-334-7660
Website: www.tax.idaho.gov
Tax Commission staff can provide copies of IRS Victims Assistance brochures, Boise Police Department identity theft brochures, and a link to IRS Form 14039. Staff can lock specific Idaho tax accounts to require validation of all returns filed for that Social Security number, which can help prevent false returns.
The Commission cannot disclose an individual’s names or tax information to law enforcement; that information must be requested by the individual, who can then provide it to law enforcement. If the name on a filed tax return or W-2 is different, the information on those documents cannot be disclosed—even to the rightful owner of the Social Security number (the identity theft victim). Victims can request copies of documents showing both their name and Social Security number.
Credit reporting bureaus
Equifax
Address: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
Report fraud: 1-800-525-6285
Website: www.equifax.com
Experian
Address: PO Box 9352, Allen, TX 75013
Report fraud: 1-888-397-3742
Website: www.experian.com
TransUnion
Address: PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834
Report fraud: 1-800-680-7289
Website: www.transunion.com
Free credit reports
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each nationwide consumer reporting company—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to provide a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
