If You're a Victim of Identity TheftNo matter how diligent you have been to protect your identity you still can be a victim. If you suspect, or know, that your personal information has been stolen to commit fraud or theft you should take action immediately. It is also important to keep track of any conversations and correspondence you may have during this time. Place a Fraud AlertIf you are a victim of identity theft the first thing you want to do is place a fraud alert on your credit reports. There is a toll free number that you can call for all three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on them. As soon as one credit bureau gets the places the fraud alert in your file the other two will automatically be notified. All three will send you credit reports free of charge. TransUnion – 1-800-680-7289 Review Credit ReportsReview your credit reports carefully and look for information that is inaccurate or inquiries that you did not initiate. Look for accounts that you did not open and any unexplained debts on your existing accounts. Double check your personal information such as; address, SSN, name, and employer. Even typographical errors should be corrected. If you find evidence of fraud or inaccuracies you should contact the credit bureau immediately, in writing and over the phone requesting the items to be fixed or removed. Over the next year you should continue to check your credit reports from all three agencies for additional fraudulent behavior. You will need to contact each agency directly at this point to obtain new information. Contact Companies and LendersWhen you find accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently they should be closed immediately. This includes credit accounts, checking accounts, etc. Credit accounts include all accounts with banks, credit card companies and other lenders, and phone companies, utilities, and so on. Contact these companies and let them know what is going on. Request the proper forms for disputing fraudulent charges or debt. What to do if Your Checks are StolenYou need to be especially careful when it comes to lost or stolen checks. If you do suspect your checks have been stolen you need to contact your bank immediately. You may close the account and ask the bank to contact the appropriate check verification service. There is no federal law that limits your losses if your checks are stolen and used, however state laws may protect you. Many states will hold the bank responsible for losses from a forged check, however you are expected to reasonable care of your account. Doing so means reporting lost or stolen checks in a timely manner. File a Police ReportThis can be hard in some states because they don’t want to deal with the paperwork. For some reason under state law they don’t think identity theft is a crime. I am sure that will change soon. Remember that credit bureaus require a police report in order to block fraudulent accounts and bad debts from appearing on your credit reports. File an Identity Theft Complaint with the FTCWhen you share your identity theft complaint with the FTC you are providing information to help law enforcement track down thieves. Finance and Money Resources
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
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