ITRC FACT SHEET 133 – The Military and Identity Theft
Checking Accounts
The ITRC suggests that active duty personnel consider using online banking services in order to monitor and track bank account activity. Please be aware of your environment (for example key loggers, spyware, shoulder surfing) when accessing accounts.
Placing an Active Duty Alert
An active duty alert is similar to a fraud alert in that it requires an inquiring creditor to verify that it is you who is attempting to open a line of credit. The difference is, unlike the 90 day fraud alert, this alert lasts for a year. Additionally, if you are deployed out of the country and cannot be contacted, you may appoint somebody you trust to act as your representative.
http://www.dfas.mil/mil-news/march2009/activedutyalert.html
Contacting CRAs by mail (see ITRC Solution 2 – CRA Contact Information)
- Experian: P.O. Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013-0949
- Trans Union: P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834
- Equifax:: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0441
Send a letter asking for an Active Duty Fraud Alert to be placed and your credit report to be mailed to you. Enclose the following items:
- A copy of your driver’s license or state identification card
- A copy of your Social Security card
- A copy of your military identification card
- A copy of your orders
- A copy of a bill that shows your address of record, if address is different from the address on driver’s license or state identification card
Contacting CRAs by Website
- https://www.experian.com/consumer/cac/FCRegistration.do?alertType=ACTIVE_DUTY_ALERT
- https://www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAlert.jsp
Power of Attorney
Many people who are enlisted in the military consider giving power of attorney to a spouse or loved one before they are deployed. Though this can be a good idea, please be careful. There are various categories of “power of attorney” which allow a person to act on your behalf and legally gain access to your information.
Unfortunately, many soldiers have found out too late that the person they gave an “unlimited” power of attorney to did not have their best interests in mind. They come home to find their bank accounts cleaned out, credit cards opened in their name, and all sorts of other credit problems that are all legally done due to the unlimited power of attorney.
We suggest that you read Explanation of Powers of Attorney put together by the Navy JAG. This document on Power of Attorney covers such issues as how to stay safe when filing one and how to revoke it when you are ready to. The ITRC strongly suggests that you consult with Command Legal Assistance JAG Office prior to granting any kind of power of attorney.
Resources
Identity Theft Resource Center
- Toll-free, no-cost victim assistance: 888-400-5530 (U.S. only)
- Office number: 858-693-7935 M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT)
- www.idtheftcenter.org
- ITRC Fact Sheet 124 – Fraud Alerts and Credit Freezes
Federal Trade Commission website:
- http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt02.shtm
- http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/military/
For further information visit the following links:
- http://www.usarak.army.mil/jag/page8.html
- http://www.wpafb.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=6588&page=1
- https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/military_home.htm ( FTC and DoD project to identify consumer protection issues that affect members of the US Armed Forces.)
This fact sheet should not be used in lieu of legal advice. Any requests to reproduce this material, other than by individual victims for their
own use, should be directed to ITRC@idtheftcenter.org.
© Copyright 2009 by Identity Theft Resource Center. Created by ITRC staff.
This project was supported by Grant No. 2007-VF-GX-K038 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the ITRC and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.