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If You Believe You're a Victim of Identity Theft
For any type of identity theft, a quick response is essential. It is recommended that the following four steps be taken as soon as possible. Keep a record of all conversations and keep copies of all correspondence.
Step 1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of these three major credit bureaus.
Equifax
1-800525-6285 · www.equifax.com
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta GA 30374-0241
Experian
1-888-397-3742 · www.experian.com
P.O. Box 9532, Allen TX 75013
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289 · www.transunion.com
Fraud Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton CA 92834-6790
Inform any one of the above agencies that you are a victim of identity fraud, and request that a "fraud alert" be place in your file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes. Once the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified.
At the same time, request free copies of your credit reports. In addition, upon your request, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.
How to Read Your Credit Report for Fraud
Once you receive your credit report, check for the following:
Check for fraudulent accounts that have been opened in your name.
Review for unauthorized transactions or activity that has occurred on your existing accounts.
Be sure that information such as your Social Security number, name, addresses and employers have not been changed.
Check the "Inquiries" section of the report. If any fraudulent inquiries are listed, request that they be removed.
Order a new report in a few months and verify that all your changes and requests were made, as well as no additional fraudulent activity has occurred.
Step 2. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Call the security or fraud department of each company and inform them of the fraudulent activity. Follow up with a letter and include copies (NOT originals) of any supporting documents. Consumer protection laws request correspondence via writing for resolving errors on credit card billing statements. Letters should be sent by certified mail. Request a return receipt so you will have a record of when the company received the letter.
If fraudulent charges and debits were made, ask the company about forms you may need to complete, disputing the transactions. If forms are not available, write a letter. See, Identity Theft Resources for a sample letter. Send the completed form to the address given for "billing inquiries," NOT the address for sending your payments.
If new, unauthorized accounts were opened, complete an ID Theft Affidavit to dispute unauthorized accounts. If unauthorized accounts have already posted to your credit report, you must dispute this fraudulent information. Once all disputes have been resolved, request documentation stating that the company has closed the disputed accounts and erased debt related to fraudulent activity.
Step 3. File a Report With Your Local Police or With the Police in the Community Where the Identity Theft Took Place
Once you file a police report, get a copy to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime. In some instance, it is possible that local police may be reluctant to file a report. If this is the case, try your state police or state law enforcement authorities. If you are informed that identity theft is not a crime under your state law, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incidents" report. Get a copy of the report, or at the very least the report number.
Step 4. File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint helps law enforcement authorities learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so they can better assist you. You can contact the FTC Identity Theft Hotline:
Phone
1-877-438-4338
Web
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Mail
Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW , Washington D.C. 20580
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