Identity Theft Prevention and Recovery

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information (i.e., your name, Social Security Number, credit card number or other identifying information) without your permission, usually to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can result in devastating personal and financial consequences; recovering from an incident can take months or years.

For basic information about identity theft, please see the identity theft fact sheet. Additional information about identity theft prevention and recovery are available below.

Campus Resources

• UC Davis Cyber-Safety Program: Personal Information
• Letter to Vice Chancellors, Vice Provosts and Deans (PDF)
• Letter to Campus IT Security Coordinator (PDF)
• Business & Finance Bulletin IS-3 Electronic Information Security (PDF)
  Addresses the reduction of risks to electronic information resources through adoption of preventive measures and controls designed to detect any errors or irregularities that occur.
• Notification plan (PDF)
• Addressing Unauthorized Release of Personal Information at UC Davis (PPT)

State and Federal Resources

• Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number
  Information to help you keep your Social Security number secure.
• Identity Theft and Fraud
  What the Department of Justice is doing and how you can help prevent identity theft and fraud.
• Identity Theft Partnerships in Prevention
  Information and resources related to identity theft and fraud prevention.
• The California Office of the Attorney General
  Information and links to California laws and resources for victims of identity theft.

If you receive a letter stating that your information may have been stolen or viewed by an unauthorized party:

• Order a copy of your credit report. California residents can order one free copy of their credit report from each of the three credit bureaus annually (Equifax, Experian, Trans Union). You may order all three at once or one at a time over a 12 month period. Visit the California Office of Privacy Protection to find out how.
• Register with the CA Attorney General's Identity Theft Registry.
• Fill out the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Affidavit (PDF) to send to creditors when disputing fraudulent charges or accounts.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft:

• The Federal Government's Identity Theft Site offers four basic steps to minimize the costs and consequences.
• Visit The Identity Theft Resource Center offers more extensive information based on what items may have been stolen.