IDENTITY THEFT |
| |
| If You're a
Victim |
|
Contact the
fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus.
Request that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and include a
statement that creditors must get your permission before any new
accounts are opened in your name. Get a copy of your credit
report from each credit bureau so that you can dispute any
inaccurate information. |
|
|
| The three major credit bureaus
are: |
|
Equifax
Order Credit Report:
800-685-1111
Report Fraud: 800-525-6285
www.equifax.com |
| |
|
Experian
Order Credit Report:
888-397-3742
Report Fraud: 888-397-3742
www.experian.com |
| |
|
Trans Union
Order Credit Report:
800-888-4213
Report Fraud: 800-680-7289
www.tuc.com |
| |
| Contact all the creditors
involved. |
|
Let them know that your accounts
may have been used without your permission, or that new accounts
have been opened in your name. If you accounts have been used
fraudulently, ask that new cards and account numbers is issued to
you. Check your billing statements carefully and report any
fraudulent activity immediately. Many banks and creditors will
accept the "ID Theft Affidavit" available at the web site below to
dispute the fraudulent charges. |
|
www.consumer.gov/idtheft |
| |
| File a police report. |
|
Get a copy of the report to submit
to your creditors and others that may require proof of crime. |
| |
| Contact the Federal Trade
Commission |
|
The FTC provides useful
information to identity theft victims and maintains a database of
identity theft cases for use by law enforcement agencies. File
a report with the FTC by calling the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline:
1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338); by mail, Identity Theft Clearinghouse,
Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington
DC 20580; or online at
www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Also request a copy of the
publication, ID Theft, When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name. |
| |
| Keep a record of your contacts. |
|
Start a file with copies of your
credit reports, the police report, any correspondence, and copies of
disputed bills. It is also useful to keep a log of your
conversations with creditors, law enforcement officials, and other
relevant parties. Follow up all phone calls in writing and
send all correspondence certified, return receipt requested. |
