More Identity Protection Help
Whether you've been careful protecting your personal information, it is still possible for a determined identity thief to be successful. If your purse or wallet are stolen or lost, you are at risk. If...
- your billing statements have not arrived...
- you get calls from card issuers or collection agencies...
about accounts or transactions you don't know about, it might be a sign an identity thief has stolen your information. If you suspect this, the following will need to be done immediately.
Place A Fraud Alert.
This goes on your credit file. Call any of the 3 major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to do this. It helps prevent the identity thief from getting new accounts in your name.
Once the credit reporting agencies (CRAs) confirm your fraud alert, the other bureaus are automatically notified to do the same. All 3 will send credit reports to you free of charge.
Review Your Credit Reports.
Regularly (at least once a year for each CRA) check your credit reports from each agency for inaccuracies and fradulent accounts, inquiries, and transactions. If everything appears okay, you know at the very least, when your credit reports were clear. Continue to check your credit reports, especially if you have been a victim, to be sure no new questionable activity has happened.
Contact The Fraud Department.
Do this at your primary lender and any other business where you have a credit history. This includes banks, credit card companies, telephone companies, utilities, department stores, and ISPs. Close accounts that have been compromised and dispute fraudulent activity on these accounts.
After you review your credit reports, call the other credit departments listed on the credit reports that appear to be fraudulent. Remember to follow-up on oral communications in writing, with each business.
File A Police Report.
Notify the police where the identity theft took place. Creditors request a copy of the police report for added verification that identity theft has happened.
File A Complaint with the FTC.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) maintains a database of identity theft cases. Law enforcement uses it for investigations. A filed complaint helps the FTC learn more about the crime so they can help other identity theft victims.