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.

Contacting Credit Reporting Agency (CRA) by Phone:

• Equifax 800-525-6285
• Experian 888-397-3742
• Trans Union 800-680-7289

You are listening for the prompt for identity theft and you are placing a fraud alert.  Follow the instructions to order your printed copy of the credit report. Call all three credit reporting agencies to verify that the fraud alert is placed.  When you receive the confirmation letters, please call and request a hard copy of your credit report to be mailed to your preferred address.

Contacting CRA by mail (if you are unable to place the fraud alert over the phone):

• 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 military id
• 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 CRA by Website:
https://www.experian.com/consumer/cac/FCRegistration.do?alertType=ACTIVE_DUTY_ALERT

Resources:

Federal Trade Commission website:
            www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt02.shtm
                 www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idcrisis.shtm

Unlimited 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. An unlimited power of attorney means that the person is acting on your behalf and can legally gain access to all of 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.  

For further information visit the following links :
Fact Sheet 124 – Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
www.jag.navy.mil/html/NLSOGlakesPowers_of_attorney.htm
www.usarak.army.mil/jag/page8.html
www.wpafb.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=6588&page=1
www.operationhomefront.org/Benefits/benefits_legal_poa.shtml (Operation Homefront)