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San Antonio Police Department
ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT
Identity Theft is has become a major crime problem nationwide, and
San Antonio ranks third in Texas for reported cases of Identity
Theft. SAPD presents the following information and links concerning
Identity Theft, both for Victims and for those wishing to avoid
becoming ID Theft victims.
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1. CONTACT ONE OF THE CREDIT BUREAUS:
If you believe you are the victim of Identity Theft, please contact one of the
three major credit bureaus, place a Fraud Alert on your credit report,
and review your credit reports. The credit bureaus recently agreed to
exchange information. By contacting one credit bureau, the other two will
automatically be notified:
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Experian 1-888-397-3742 or EXPERIAN
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289 or TRANS UNION
Equifax 1-800-525-6285 or EQUIFAX
FRAUD ALERTS: There are two types of fraud alerts. The first is an initial alert which
will last at least 90 days. When you place an initial alert on your credit
report, you are entitled to one free credit report from each
of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. An extended alert
stays on your credit report for 7 years and requires additional documentation.
CREDIT FREEZE: You may want to consider a credit "freeze", in Texas known as a
Security Freeze. The freeze is a powerful tool to prevent further instances of identity
theft. At this time it is available only to victims of identity theft,
but we are hoping to expand this to all residents during the next legislative
session. Approximately 25 states now offer Credit Freezes which do not allow anyone
to open a new credit accound without your permission. The specific requirements for a
Security Freeze are listed on each of the credit reports under the "Consumer
Rights" section.
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2. MAKE A POLICE REPORT:
SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS:
If you believe you are the victim of Identity Theft, you can file a police report
with SAPD by calling the SAPD Non-Emergency Number 207-7273. An officer can
come to your location to take the report, or you can make the report over the
phone to a "police expeditor." Please note that during heavy volume periods,
the expeditors may take your phone number and call you back when someone is
available to take all the details of your report.
Please Note: Filing a report is one of the first steps in what may be a
lengthy and frustrating process to repair your credit and reclaim your
identity. Any damage to your credit can only be corrected with your participation
and cooperation. By completing these steps, you will help resolve problems
with creditors and merchants, remove inaccurate information from your
files at the major credit reporting agencies, and help prevent future
fraudulent use of your credit and identity. You should retain copies of all
correspondence and documentation related to your case.
The Forgery Unit of the San Antonio Police Department will review your
report and, if assigned for follow-up, an investigator will contact you with
additional information. Please note that due to the volume of
reports received, jurisdictional issues (where did the crime occur),
availability of solvability factors, and limitations on available
resources, not all reports of this type of criminal activity are assigned
to an investigator for follow-up.
Please also review the IDENTITY THEFT COMPLAINT
PACKET linked at the top of this web page.
OUTSIDE SAN ANTONIO:
If you live OUTSIDE San Antonio and already have a police report, a second
report with our department is not immediatly necessary. Have your police or
sheriff's department forward a copy of your report and supporting
documents to:
SAPD Forgery
PO Box 839948
San Antonio, TX 78283-9948 FAX: 210-207-4070
The documents will be reviewed and assigned on the basis of a variety of
solvability factors. A second case number will be generated should your case
be assigned to a detective.
Once you have filed a report with SAPD you may obtain a copy of that report,
if needed, from the
SAPD RECORDS OFFICE (info posted on web page).
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3. CLOSE ACCOUNTS YOU KNOW OR BELIEVE HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH:
Call or speak with someone in the security or fraud department of your
bank or holder of the account. Ask the representative to send you the company's
fraud dispute forms. You may also be able to use the Federal Trade Commission's
ID Theft Affidavit
for this purpose.
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4. CONTACT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been tasked to compile statistics
and assist identity theft victims with resources and information. The FTC
victim database is also used by law enforcement agencies for investigations.
The FTC web page provides excellent information for victims entitled
"Defer, Detect,
Defend Against Identity Theft."
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ALSO: CONTACT THE IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCE CENTER:
The Identity Theft Resource Center is another excellent resource for
victims. The center was developed by a former victim in San Diego and is now considered
a leading expert on identity theft.
Identity Theft Resource Center
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MISTAKES HAPPEN:
When you suspect you are the victim of identity theft, please first
consider that it is possibly a mistake and not identity theft. A
2004 survey of credit reports discovered that 79% of all credit reports
contained some type of error, and 25% contained such serious errors that
those individuals could be denied credit. Most mistakes can be pinned to
your creditors and others who have provided information to the
credit bureaus. Some mistakes happen when credit accounts change
hands. Some errors are intentional. The report found that some
banks admit to not furnishing bureaus with complete information
on customers. Other mistakes are simply human error. According to a credit
bureau industry spokesperson, some 30,000 data processors file 4.5 billion
updates to credit reports each month, leaving considerable room
for errors. (Source: 2004 Study by the National Association of
State Public Interes Research Groups).
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Copyright © San Antonio Police
Department 2008
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