Here
are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission and from consumer advocates for dealing with identity theft. First you
should report it as soon as possible and keep track of everyone you talk to and report your theft to. Keep dates and
times and names.
The put a fraud alert on your credit files. Actually, you can put a fraud alert on your credit files even before your identity is stolen. Fraud alerts help prevent an identity thief from opening
any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below--
Experian, Equifax or TransUnion, to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three
companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their
versions of your report, too.
TransUnion:
1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian:
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
Once you place
the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order one free copy of your credit report from each of the three consumer
reporting companies, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit
reports. Once you get your credit reports, review them carefully. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't
contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain. Check that information,
like your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials, and employers are correct. If you find fraudulent or inaccurate
information, get it removed by contacting the credit reporting companies and explaining to them in writing why these are not
your doing-- and may be the work of an identity thief.
Continue to check your credit reports periodically, especially for the first year after you discover the identity
theft, to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
Next, be sure you close any accounts
that the thief opened or tampered with. Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company.
Follow up in writing, and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. It's important to notify credit
card companies and banks in writing. They may ask for a copy of the police report you filed about your identity theft.
Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when.
Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures. When
you open new accounts, use new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords. Avoid using easily available information
like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number or your phone number,
or a series of consecutive numbers. I know this can be difficult, but try to avoid using the same password or PIN for different
accounts. If a crook can get a hold of one PIN he will have access to all of the accounts using that PIN or password.
Yes, I know that it is difficult to have many different passwords or PINs in this day and age when so many accounts call for
a password or PIN.
If the identity thief
has made charges or debits on your accounts, or has fraudulently opened accounts, ask the company for the forms to dispute
those transactions:
Once you have resolved
your identity theft dispute with the company, ask for a letter stating that the company has closed the disputed accounts
and has discharged the fraudulent debts. This letter is your best proof if errors relating to this account reappear on your
credit report or you are contacted again about the fraudulent debt.
You should also file a report
or complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can file a complaint with the FTC by calling the FTC's Identity
Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal
Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint
if you have any additional information or problems.
Earlier in this report I told you about filing
a police report. Yes, you should file a police report. Call your local police department and tell them that you
want to file a report about your identity theft. Ask them if you can file the report in person. If the
police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incident" report, or try another jurisdiction,
like your state police.
