Identity Theft Northcoast Services Wickliffe, OH, Cleveland Pennsylvania New York

Do not call lists, identity theft and fraud

Public Service Announcements

Don't get scammed!

Who to Call:
If you think you have been the victim of a scam - or if you want to check out a company or an offer that you think might be suspect - there are several places to turn:

Better Business Bureau
In Cleveland, 216-241-7678; in Akron, 330-253-4590, or www.bbb.org. Contact to get complaint histories of companies. Scams change names often, so not seeing a report about a company is not a good sign. Be wary, also, if a company has not responded to BBB requests for basic information. This is not a government agency, but if you are scammed, you may want to file a report to warn other consumers.

Ohio Attorney General's Office:
1-800-282-0515 or www.ag.state.oh.us. Call if you're unsure of a solicitation from a business or charity or if you've been scammed.

Phonebusters
1-888-495-8501. This Canadian law enforcement agency specializes in cross-border telemarketing fraud. Call if you want to check out a pitch from Canada or if you have been victimized by a Canadian telemarketer.

Federal Trade Commission
1-877-382-4357 or www.ftc.gov. Contact for brochures on common scams or to report a scam.

Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Securities
Call 1-800-788-1194 to check out if an investment or its seller is registered or has a history of complaints or to report an investment-related scam. Visit www.securities.state.oh.us for investor education information.

Securities and Exchange Commission
Visit www.sec.gov/investor/pubs.shtml to get information about frauds (click on Fraud under publications) or to file a complaint.

Getting Your Name Off The Lists!

Looking to get off junk mail and telemarketing list? Try these tips:

Contact your credit-card companies and tell them not to release your name, address or phone number to anyone else for marketing, mailing or promotion purposes.
If you move, do not fill out the post office's change of address form. The information will be provided to third parties.
Contact your phone company to change your listing in the phone book. Request that your name be listed without your address.
When a telemarketer calls always say " Put this number on your do not call list." This "don't call" information is stored in the company's database for 10 years.
Write the Direct Market Association. Clearly state that you do not want telemarketing calls and/or direct mail. Include your address and phone number. DMA's Preference Service address: P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, N.Y 11735-9008. You can also write: Telephone Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 148 11735-9014.
The US Postal Inspection Service has a web page with links for removing your name from mail and telemarketing lists. You will find it here.
There are private companies that can also do this for you for a fee. Some include the Consumer Research Institute (P.O. Box 612, Ithaca, NY 14851 or just access their website at www.stopjunk.com); and Private Citizen Inc. (P.O. Box233, Naperville, IL 60566 or you can contact them at 800-288-5265).

Public Service Fraud Numbers

If you are a victim of identity theft or fraud, report it to the following credit reporting organizations:

Trans Union Consumer Fraud
1-800-680-7289

Experian (TRW) Report Consumer Fraud
1-800-301-7195

C.S.C. Credit Services Report Consumer Fraud
1-888-567-8688

Have a question or need assistance?