Virginia — Fairfax County police offer the following tips regarding identity theft and fraud:
- Review credit reports annually;
Experian: Fraud/credit history, 888-397-3742;
Trans Union: Fraud, 800-680-7289; Credit history, 800-888-4213;
Equifax: Fraud, 800-525-6285; Credit report, 800-685-1111.
Go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
Opt out of receiving pre-approved, credit-card applications by calling 888-567-8688.
Monitor credit cards and bank accounts online for early fraud detection.
Don’t mail bills from home; use electronic banking, if possible.
Victims of identity theft should get a police report and secure a seven-year fraud alert or a credit freeze.
People 70 and older should contact the credit bureaus and obtain a credit freeze, even if they’re not currently identity-theft victims.
Never wire money to strangers online; these requests are scams.