Defend Your Dollars

Privacy

8.3 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year. We’re pushing for reforms that give you the tools you need when your sensitive financial information is compromised or stolen.

Publications

• Summer, California
  Posted 10/23/07 at 12:34 pm

  In 2005, Summer received an e-mail from the University of California at Berkeley informing her that their database had been hacked and that her personal information had been stolen.

• Bette, Florida
  Posted 10/22/07 at 1:15 pm

  Although Bette’s identity was stolen in 2003, she did not find out about the theft until she received a bill from a collection agency in April 2006. The bill was for an account at a cable company in a city where Bette had never lived. Bette and her husband went to the cable company’s offices Continue Reading

• Naomi B, Florida
  Posted 10/21/07 at 1:16 pm

  Miami resident Naomi B heard about the security breach at DSW a month before she was notified by the company that her personal information had been compromised. DSW urged Naomi B to check her credit reports to make sure there had been no fraudulent activity. For Naomi B, ensuring the safety of her identity became Continue Reading

• Margaret, Illinois
  Posted 10/20/07 at 1:17 pm

  Margaret received a call from an angry bill collector, demanding that she pay a balance on a credit card. Margaret pointed out that she had never opened the credit card account in question. The bill collector called Margaret a “liar” and told her that she was going to lose her home and go to jail. Continue Reading

• John, Virginia
  Posted 10/18/07 at 1:18 pm

  John and his wife were both victims of identity theft. They first discovered something was wrong when the thief tried to open multiple credit cards with American Express in his wife’s name. They soon learned that their names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, address, and telephone number had been stolen and used to apply Continue Reading

• Lee, Miami Beach, FL
  Posted 10/16/07 at 1:19 pm

  Lee’s nightmare with identity theft had a severe impact on his finances, career and health. His encounter began in late August 2005 when his wallet containing personal information was stolen. The next day, the thief opened three fraudulent credit accounts in his name, and used them to purchase items and services from various brand name Continue Reading

• Jaimee, Omaha, NE
  Posted 10/14/07 at 1:21 pm

  After a former manager swiped Jaimee’s personal information and used it to open several credit card accounts, the Omaha resident not only tracked down the crook that stole her identity but also started a successful campaign to enact new privacy laws in Nebraska. Jaimee’s ordeal with identity theft began in 2005 after a call from Continue Reading

• Ann, FL
  Posted 10/11/07 at 1:24 pm

  Ann dreads receiving another piece of mail from a collection agency demanding payment for overdue credit card bills run up by a crook who stole her identity. It has happened before, and Ann suspects that it could happen again. Everything began in 2004, when a fill-up at a local gas station turned into a thief’s Continue Reading

• Powerful ID theft protection goes nationwide
  Posted 10/04/07 at 12:13 pm

  All three credit bureaus will offer “security freeze” protection in all 50 states by November 1

• Security Freeze
  Posted 09/27/07 at 1:46 pm

  The security freeze is an identity theft prevention tool you can use to proactively stop new account theft and fraud. 39 states and the District of Columbia offer the freeze. Click here to find out if you live in a state that provides you with the security freeze.