Identity theft is when someone, without your knowledge, gets your personal information and uses it to commit fraud. Credit card fraud is a common type of identity theft. The their pretends uses someone information to obtain a credit card. Often the victim does not find out because the credit card statements are sent to a different address and they don’t even know there is a card in their name. This type of identity theft can damage your credit and ruin your reputation with creditors. In the unfortunate event you are a victim of identity theft there are immediate steps you can take.
Contact the Credit Bureau
If you discover that you have been a victim of identity theft you should call one of the three credit bureaus. Ask that an extended fraud alert be placed on your account because you have been a victim. By doing this all creditors will be required to contact you directly before granting any new lines of credit in your name. You only need to contact one of the bureaus because the one you contact will share this information with the other two. Here are the numbers for the fraud divisions of each credit bureau:
- EQUIFAX: 800-525-6285
- EXPERIAN: 888-397-3742
- TRANSUNION: 800-680-7289
Under new provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act you are entitled to place an initial fraud alert on your account for 90 days. The credit bureaus will each mail you a notice of your rights as an identity theft victim. After you receive them, you should contact each of the three bureaus immediately to request two things: a free copy of your credit and an extension of the fraud alert to seven years. In order to get the fraud alert extended to seven years you have to have some evidence of identity theft, like a police report (next step below). You can cancel the alert at anytime if needed.
Contact Law Enforcement
Contact your local police department and ask them to file a criminal complaint. Some police departments might not be too happy about your request because these types of cases can be very difficult to pursue. Nevertheless, be persistent and file the complaint. It will help you to have the complaint documented as you are trying to clean up the mess and re-establish yourself with creditors.
Complete An ID Fraud Affidavit
Complete the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Fraud Affidavit and submit it to all creditors where you have an ID Theft dispute. Give them as much documented evidence as possible. Make sure the police report lists the fraudulent accounts.
Monitor your credit reports
The law requires creditors to pay attention to fraud alerts. However, in the event something is missed you should still keep an eye on your credit report. You get at total of three credit reports (not including the free one for setting up the fraud alert) a year from any of the three credit bureaus. Your personal credit report is the best tool for detecting identity theft. If you have any suspicions at all you should get your credit report.
Additional Resources
If you need more in depth information about identify theft The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has many resources for you such as:
No comments yet.