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Identity Fraud - Three Steps You Must Take Immediately
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Identity Fraud - Three Steps You Must Take Immediately
First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus.
- Inform them that you're a victim of identity theft.
- Request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file.
- Request that a victim's statement also be placed in your file. The statement requests that all creditors contact you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.
- Order copies of your credit report from all three bureaus. Or you can write to the credit bureaus and request a copy of your report. If your credit report contains fraudulent information, the credit bureaus are required to provide you with a free copy. You can find credit bureau contact information here.
- Review your reports carefully, looking for accounts that have been fraudulently opened or tampered with. Also examine the “inquiries" section of your report – have any inquiries been made that you did not authorize? These are the items you will need to discuss with your creditors.
Second, contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
- A list of all of your creditors appears at the bottom of your TrueCredit credit report. Go down the list one by one, and ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department. Explain your situation and close accounts that have been altered. Open new accounts with different passwords and PINS. (When creating your new passwords, remember to avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.)
- Make a note of the date and person with whom you spoke.
- Always follow up the call with a letter. It's important to do this because the consumer protection laws specify that the resolution of credit card billing errors must be done in writing.
Third, file a report with your local police department or the department in the community where the identity theft took place.
- Get a copy of the report for your records; Your bank and credit card companies may request a copy.
- Even if the thief isn’t caught, having a copy of the police report can help you when working with your creditors.
WHAT TO DO NEXT – Getting your financial livelihood back under control
After you have taken the first three essential steps, you must continue to ensure that your identity is yours and only yours. Here’s a checklist to help you along the way:
- Bank accounts
If an identity thief has tampered with your bank accounts, checks or ATM card, close the accounts immediately. When you open new accounts, insist on password-only access for extra security.
- Phone service
If an identity thief has established phone service in your name or is making unauthorized calls that are being billed to you, contact your service provider immediately to cancel the account. Open new accounts with new PINs.
- Mail
If an identity thief has stolen your mail and/or rerouted it to a new address, report it to your local postal inspector. Your local post office can refer you to the nearest postal inspection service.
- Driver's license
If you suspect that the thief used your identity to get a driver’s license, contact your Department of Motor Vehicles to report the crime.
- Bankruptcy
If the identity thief filed for bankruptcy under your name, write to the U.S. Trustee in the Region where the bankruptcy was filed. In your letter, describe your situation and provide proof of identity. You can find the address in the Blue Pages of your phone book under U.S. Government, Bankruptcy Administration.
- Employment
If you believe an identity thief has used your Social Security Number to apply for a job, report it to the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline (800) 269-0271. Remember to follow up your phone call with a letter.
Once you have completed this checklist, you must continue to stay on top of your identity by checking your credit report regularly. This is the best way to alert yourself to any continuing fraudulent activity.
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