Consumer Resource Directory - Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention

Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention

- Identity Theft & Fraud
- Fraud Prevention

Identity thieves steal personal information, such as a credit card account number, Social Security number or driver's license number. Then may open accounts in a consumer's name and run up charges on the account, or use the personal information to charge goods and services to a consumer's existing accounts. In other cases, they may work, or even be arrested, while using the victim's name.

If Identity Theft has occurred:
Contact the fraud departments of each of the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies, report the theft, ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on the file and that no new credit be granted without their approval. Once a fraud alert is placed, you are entitled to order free copies of your credit report – ask for only the last four digits of your Social Security Number to appear on your credit report.

Equifax: www.equifax.com
Report fraud: (800) 525-6285
Order credit report: (800) 685-1111
Experian: www.experian.com
Report fraud: (888) 397-3742
Order credit report: (888) 397-3742
Trans Union: www.transunion.com
Report fraud: (800) 680-7289
Order credit report: (800) 888-4213

For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security departments of the appropriate creditors or financial institutions. Close these accounts. Put passwords (not mother's maiden name or Social Security number) on any new accounts they open. File a report with local police or the police where the identity theft took place. Get the report number or a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime later.

The Federal Trade Commission
ID Theft Clearinghouse
(877) 438-4338
TTY (866) 653-4261
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Contact the ID Theft Clearinghouse to report the theft. Counselors will take the complaint and advise on how to deal with the credit-related problems that could result from ID theft. The Identity Theft Hotline and the ID Theft Website give consumers one place to report the theft to the federal government and receive helpful information.

The ID Theft Affidavit makes it easier for consumers to dispute debts resulting from identity theft. The ID Theft Affidavit is accepted by the three major credit bureaus, participating credit issuers and other financial institutions. To receive a copy of the affidavit, call the hotline or log onto their web site.

National Fraud Information Center & Internet Fraud Watch
National Consumers League
(800) 876-7060
www.fraud.org

Michigan Attorney General
www.michigan.gov/ag
Complaint process instructions and forms are available online.

Michigan Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 30213-7713
Lansing, MI 48909
(877) 765-8388
Fax: (517) 241-3771
Michigan Healthcare Fraud Division
P.O. Box 30218
Lansing, MI 48909
(800) 242-2873
Fax: (517) 241-6515
Report Medicaid provider fraud and residential patient abuse/neglect in a Medicare/Medicaid funded facility.
Charitable Trust Section
(517) 373-1152
Provides information about charities and tips about making wise choices in giving. For information about police and fire group solicitations, call (800) 769-4515.

Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
(800) 269-0271
TTY: (866) 501-2101
Fax: (410) 597-0118
www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/hotline

Medicare Fraud

Health & Human Services Tips Hotline
Office of the Inspector General
HHS Tips Hotline
P.O. Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026
(800) 447-8477
Fax: (800) 223-2164
Email: HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov
Michigan’s Quality Improvement Organization
MPRO: (800) 365-5899

Most Medicare payment errors are simple mistakes and are not the result of providers trying to take advantage of the Medicare system. However, there are situations when providers do abuse and cheat the program.

What is Medicare Fraud?
Medicare fraud is purposely billing Medicare for services that were never provided or received. Some examples include:

Billing Medicare or another insurer for services or items you never got.
Billing Medicare for services or equipment which are different from what you received.
Use of another person’s Medicare card to get medical care, supplies, or equipment.

Prevention Tips
Whenever you receive the Medicare Summary Notice from Medicare, review it for errors. The payment notice shows what Medicare was billed for, what Medicare paid, and what you owe.

Don’t ever give out your Medicare number except to your physician or other Medicare provider.
Be cautious when you are offered free testing or screening in exchange for your Medicare card number.
Be cautious of any provider who maintains they have been endorsed by the Federal government or by Medicare
Avoid a provider of health care items or services who tells you that the item or service is not usually covered, but they know how to bill Medicare to get it paid.
Don’t allow anyone, except appropriate medical professionals, to review your medical records or recommend services.

United States Postal Inspection Service
(313) 226-8184
www.usps.gov/postalinspectors
U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further a scheme, including identity theft.

Check Fraud
Report fraudulent use of checks, call
Certegy (800) 437-5120
TeleCheck: (800) 710-9898
www.telecheck.com

To find out if someone has been passing bad checks in your name, call:
SCAN: (800) 262-7771

Additional contact information and websites
Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors (800) 347-5297
U.S. Department of Justice: www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

Fraud Prevention

National Do Not Call Registry
The Federal Trade Commission provides a registry to stop most telemarketing calls. Consumers can register by phone or online at no charge.
(888) 382-1222
(866) 290-4236 TTY
Website: www.DoNotCall.gov

To be removed from Mailing Lists
Upon request, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) will remove your name from an individual company’s mailing list, or register you for their Mail Preference Service.

Direct Marketing Association
1120 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-6700
(212) 768-7277
www.dmaconsumers.org

The DMA sometimes receives calls from family members, friends or caretakers seeking to remove the names of individuals in their care from commercial marketing lists. To assist those who are managing this process the DMA has created a new Do Not Contact for Caregivers List (DNCC)

Opt-out of pre-screened credit offers
To reduce the number of pre-screened credit and insurance offers through the mail. This free service is offered collectively by the major credit bureaus.
(888) 567-8688
www.optoutprescreen.com

Wise Giving Alliance
Tips about charitable giving. Check the records of national charities through this program operated by the Better Business Bureau.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance
4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 276-0100
Fax (703) 525-8277
www.give.org