What To Do If You Are A Victim
By: Frank E. Fain, PhD
If any of the following events happen to you:
 |
Bills that do not arrive when you expect them |
|
Calls or letters about purchases you did not make |
|
Denial of credit for no apparent reason |
|
Mail stolen from your mailbox |
|
Unexpected credit cards or account statements |
|
Your wallet, purse or passport is stolen |
Then you may be a victim of Identity Theft. If you suspect you are, then you need to act immediately and take the following steps. During each step keep a detailed record of the person you speak with, the details of your conversations and any correspondences related to this issue.
First, contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus and request a “Fraud Alert” be placed on your credit report. The alert signals creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. Placing a “fraud alert” entitles you to a free copy of your credit report. Examine it for accounts you did not open, debts on your accounts that you do not know about, and for inquiries from companies you have not contacted. The three nationwide consumer credit bureaus have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert. A call to one bureau is sufficient:
|
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 |
|
Experian: 1-888-397-3742 |
|
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 |
Second, file a police report with you local law enforcement department. Filing a report with the police will help you with creditors who may want proof an identification theft crime occurred
Third, close any account that you know or suspect that have been tampered with or established without your knowledge.
|
Call each company’s security or fraud department where an account was opened or changed without your permission. Send a follow-up letter with copies of your supporting documents. (Use the ID Theft Affidavit available at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written report) |
|
Secure verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent charges have been discharged |
Fourth, contact the Social Security Administration and ask them to put a “fraud alert” on your number.
Fifth, if your wallet, purse or passport has been stolen then contact:
|
Your bank, mortgage/loan holders, all credit card issuers and ask them to put a “fraud alert” on all accounts |
|
The Department of Transportation and request they put a “fraud alert” on your driver’s license number |
|
Contact the United States State Department to put a “fraud alert” on your passport. |
Finally, report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. This report will help law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.
|
By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) |
|
Online: www.ftc.gov/idtheft |
|
By mail: Identify Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 |
No one is immune from being an identity theft victim. Clearing one’s name and financial reputation is a long and emotional journey. Hopefully this column will serve as a road map for you if you should ever have to take such a difficult trip.
Copyright © 2008, The Baptist Home, Inc., Since 1913