Are You a Identity Theft Victim?

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Identity Theft Victim?

Once you discover you are an identity theft victim contact the police and file a report. By contacting the police you will be able to get information from them that may be helpful in getting your credit and accounts straightened out. It also allows them to be able to start investigating the crime. Once you have filed a report, get the police report number and the name of the investigator. Give that information to the organizations you contact to get your credit fixed after the crime.

The next people you want to notify are the credit bureaus, credit card companies, banks, and any other organizations your accounts may be at risk.

Credit Bureaus

Let them know that you are an identity theft victim and get all three of the agencies to flag your account with a identity theft “fraud alert.” Ask them how long the alert will last and if there is any way to extend that time, if needed. Provide them with a phone number and ask that all creditors contact you directly to verify future applications. Secondly, add a “victims’ statement” to your credit report. You should include your name, describe the situation, and list a phone number where you can be contacted. Get a copy of your credit report from each credit reporting agency. Look over the reports to see if you can tell when the fraud may have occurred to your accounts. After a few months have gone by, obtain new copies of your credit reports to see if your corrections have been noted. Also check to see if any other fraudulent charges are on your report. It is important to remember if you are an identity theft victim that the thieves may continue to target your account several times. Check your credit reports regularly.

Equifax: (800) 525-6285

Experian: (800) 397-3742

TransUnion: (800) 680-7289

Credit Card Companies

If you have had you identity stolen and the thief was able to get access to your credit card accounts you should contact the credit card company immediately and let them know that you are an identity theft victim. Close your credit card accounts that have been affected so they are registered as “closed at customer request.” Have the credit card company issue you new account numbers and protect them with passwords. Follow-up with the credit card company with a letter, include the date, the name of the person who assisted you, and any actions taken.

Banks

If the thief was able to get a hold of your personal information and you feel your bank account information has been compromised contact your bank and inform them of any account information, account numbers, ATM cards, or checks that may have been stolen. Cancel your old checking and savings accounts and open up new ones. Obtain a new ATM card, account numbers, and PIN.

There are other things to do if you find that you are an identity theft victim. For starters, make sure you document the time and money you spend on recovering from identity theft. There are some states where if a person is found guilty of identity theft which involves finances, the identity theft victim may receive restitution for any financial loss they may have incurred.

When documenting the things you have done, keep copies of any correspondence and documents related to your identity theft. Keep records of all your phone conversations, include the time and date and the name of whom you spoke with. Follow-up phone conversations with letters. In your letters include the date and time, whom you spoke with and what actions were taken, if any. To play it safe, when you send out your letters and documents, Return Receipt Requested and keep the receipt you got from the post office as your copy.

Other Government Agencies to Contact

FTC Identity Theft Hot Line: (877) 438-4338

U.S. Postal Inspectors: (800)372-8347

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