Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is identity theft?

According to the United States Department of Justice, the terms identity theft and identity fraud "refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain." If a person becomes a victim of identity theft, the recovery process can be time consuming, stressful, and expensive.

2. How can I tell if I am a victim of identity theft?

After enrolling at www.csidentity.com/trcc, you will receive your initial reports. Please review all of these reports to be sure they contain accurate information. If you determine that you could be a victim of identity theft, a CSIdentity Identity Restoration Agent will work with you to assess, stop, and reverse any damage to your identity.

3. Why should I set a fraud alert with the Credit Bureaus?

You have the right to ask that a nationwide consumer credit reporting companies place "fraud alerts" in your file to let potential creditors and others know that you may be a victim of identity theft. A fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you. You can contact any one of the three credit bureaus by phone to place a fraud alert and receive your free Credit Report. See the numbers below:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian: 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Although you only need to contact one bureau who will in turn automatically notify the other two, we recommend notifying all three so the fraud alerts take effect immediately. Do this after enrolling in CSIdentity Protector^SM service.

4. How do I enroll in the free CSIdentity Protector program offered by the Three Rivers Community College?

The process is as follows:

1. Go to the dedicated CSIdentity Web page at www.csidentity.com/trcc to sign up.
2. Enter your PIN Code (provided to you on the 1st page of the notification letter).
3. Answer some online security questions generated by Experian to verify and authenticate your identity (do not be concerned about providing this personal information on the CSIdentity Web page; they already have this information from Experian and are just asking the questions to verify "you are who you say you are" before they deliver your reports and credit monitoring to you).
4. You will NOT be required to pay for anything. The funding for your service has been taken care of by Three Rivers Community College. The entire process will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Credit monitoring will begin immediately and will continue for a year from date of sign up. Insurance and Restoration services will also be available for a year from date of sign up in the unfortunate event your identity is fraudulently used by an identity thief.

5. Why do I need to provide my Social Security number?

The credit bureaus require your Social Security number. Your Social Security number is the unique identifier used by the credit bureaus to match your personal information to a credit file. Simply providing your name, date of birth or address is insufficient.

6. What expenses does the CSIdentity program cover?

Included with this CSIdentity service is up to $25,000 in identity theft insurance for lost income and expenses related to restoring your identity and full-service restoration assistance.

7. What does the Identity Restoration Agent do?

If a participant becomes a victim of identity theft, CSIdentity assigns an Identity Restoration Agent to manage the case from beginning to end. Your Restoration Agent does the work so you can remain productive at work and at home. Your Restoration Agent will be your main contact and source of information during this time.

Identity Restoration Services means those services performed in response to a stolen identity event and on the insured's behalf after receipt of authorization from the insured including but not limited to:

1. Providing insured with a package of information which includes a description of the resolution process, educational articles, and guidance for avoiding future complications.
2. Notifying the three major credit bureaus and providing assistance with requesting that a fraud alert be placed on the insured's credit files and affected credit accounts.
3. Reviewing the insured's credit files to determine the accuracy of the file and potential areas of fraud.
4. Notifying as needed, the insured's affected creditors, financial institutions, credit card companies, utility providers, and merchants of the identity fraud.
5. Providing information to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and to other government agencies as appropriate.
6. When appropriate, providing assistance with obtaining and reviewing the insured's Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement.
7. Creating and maintaining a case file to document the identity fraud.

8. Can I still become a victim of identity theft even if I am enrolled in the CSIdentity service?

Yes. Implementing all of the protection services from CSIdentity can reduce your risk of identity theft. However, you may do everything CSIdentity suggests and still become a victim of identity theft. The benefits of subscribing include the peace of mind from knowing you have insurance and recovery services as well as the early detection and warning you will receive from our monitoring and alert services. That way you can become aware of any fraudulent activity and work to stop damages before they compile. If you become a victim - CSIdentity will work with you and guide you through the restoration process.

9. Who should I contact if I have questions?

For information on the free service, please visit www.csidentity.com/trcc or CSIdentity can assist you with the process and answer any questions at 1.877.274.1436, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Central Standard Time.