FARMERS BRANCH – The office of U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant hosted an identity theft prevention forum on June 16 at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.  The free informational forum was designed to educate District 24 residents about the growing threats of identity theft and fraud, and also to offer practical advice on how to safeguard one’s identity. 

The two keynote speakers at the forum were Deanya Kueckelhan, director of the Southwest Region of the Federal Trade Commission, and James MacPhail, an investigator with the Farmers Branch Police Department.  After the audience heard from the federal government and local law enforcement perspectives on identity theft, the speakers fielded questions from the audience.  Some of the questions were about how to put oneself on the national no-call list, what type of paper shredder to use, and what sort of personal information should one carry in their wallet or purse.

The event marked the second identity theft prevention forum held by Marchant’s district office this year. 

Tips to protect you against identity theft

If you receive checks in the mail from any unknown party and you are required to wire or transfer money in return (foreign lotteries, sweepstakes winner, mystery shopper), then you are likely to be a victim of financial fraud.

Shred personal financial documents before discarding them (use a cross cut shredder if possible).

Do not provide personal, financial, or other identifying information to an unknown telephone caller. 

If you are a victim of identity theft, contact the fraud hotlines of the three major credit bureaus. 

(a.) Equifax  800-525-6285     (b.) Experian  888-397-3742    (c.) Trans Union  800-680-7289

Useful phone numbers 

(a.) Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Hotline  877-438-4338  (b.)Social Security Fraud Hotline  800-269-0271

No Call Lists

Texas  1-866-896-6225    National 1-888-382-1222

Stop credit card mail offers by calling 888-567-8688 or go online to www.optoutprescreen.com

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