FAQs About Identity Theft and Protecting Your Personal Information

Q. What personal information should I monitor regularly?

A. Early detection of a potential identity theft or credit fraud can make a big difference. Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity by monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking closely for charges you did not make. 

Q. What else can I do?

A. Three national consumer credit reporting agencies provide free fraud alert services. You can immediately call or write any of them, listed below, to have a security or fraud alert placed on your account for 90 days.

• Equifax: 800-525-6285; www.equifax.com:
  PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374

• Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742); www.experian.com:
  PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013

• TransUnion: 800-680-7289; www.transunion.com;
  Fraud Victim Assistance Division
  PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834

Most importantly, visit  the Federal Trade Commission's site about how to protect your identity.

Q. How do I get my free annual credit reports?

A. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com, call toll-free 877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can print the form from the website.

Note: Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies (listed above) individually. They provide free annual credit reports only through Annual Credit Report Services 877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Q. What steps does the College take to protect confidential student information?

A. City College's IT Security and Public Safety Offices ensure that computers and confidential information are secured.

Q. What steps does City College do when they recieve reports of stolen office equipment?

A. We report thefts to the New York City Police Department and our Public Safety Office works collaboratively with them.

Q. Should I use a credit monitoring service?

A. There are a variety of commercial services that, for a fee, will monitor your credit reports for activity and alert you to changes to your accounts. Prices and services vary widely. Many of the services only monitor one of the three major consumer reporting companies. If you're considering signing up for a service, check out the company with your local Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agency and state Attorney General to see if they have any complaints on file.

Q. Will City College pay for a credit monitoring service?

A. Not at this time. We are providing practical information about available services for individuals who may not already know about them who may wish to use them.

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