Credit Crads

Identity Theft

What to Do if It Happens to You

If you have been a victim of identity theft, you’ll want to take these steps immediately:

• File a police report. You’ll need this to report the theft. Keep the original and make copies for others who need it.
  
• Notify the credit bureaus. Report the fraud immediately to the three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. One company should notify the other two but be sure to ask. Ask that a “fraud alert” be placed on your file. (See How the New Credit Reporting Law can help).
  
• Fill out a fraud affidavit form. You can get a standard fraud affidavit form at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s website: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf.
  
• Order your credit report. By law, fraud victims are currently entitled to one free copy of their credit report. That will change later in 2004 to two free copies a year.
  
• Contact your issuers. If you suspect that your current accounts (especially credit cards) are being used, contact your creditors and ask that those accounts be cancelled. This also applies to your ATM card or check cards.
  
• Investigate new accounts. Review your credit report, preferably from all three major bureaus, and contact all unknown creditors listed under New Accounts or Inquiries. Explain that you are an ID Theft victim and ask them how you can file a report. They’ll likely want a fraud affidavit, proof of your identity, and a copy of the police report.
  
• Check your address. Check with the Postal Inspector to see if a change of address has been filed. Also notify them if you suspect the imposter has used the U.S. mail in their crime (for example, if they have mailed change of address notices or credit applications).
  
• Check your checks. One unsuspecting consumer bought magazines from a young door-to-door salesman. Within hours, a fraud ring had made up fake checks and was going on a spending spree with his account. If you suspect that your checks are being used fraudulently contact the major credit verification bureaus to file a fraud alert:
  
  • Chexsystems is the largest check company providing this type of service. Contact them at www.chexhelp.com and click on the “report identity theft” button or call 1-800-428-9623.
  
  • Telecheck is smaller but it may also be helpful to contact them: www.telecheck.com or 1-800-366-2425.
  
• Double-check your driver’s license. Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to place a fraud alert on your driver’s license, if you suspect it has been misused in any way. Recent investigative reports have shown it is very easy for imposters to get new driver’s licenses using other people’s information.
  
• Contact the Social Security Administration if you think your social security number has been used fraudulently. Even if you aren’t sure, review your Benefits and Earnings statement to make sure it’s accurate. Think twice about requesting a new social security number, however, since this can create more problems than it solves. You can report fraud to the SSA at (800) 269-0271 or visit http://www.ssa.gov.
  
• Check your passport. Alert the passport office to make sure no one orders a passport with your information (either a replacement or a new one). Visit http://travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778).
  
• Talk to an attorney. Under the credit reporting law you have only two years after you discover misuse of your credit report to bring a lawsuit. You may want to talk with an attorney if you run into roadblocks with either credit reporting agencies or creditors. Contact the National Association of Consumer Advocates at www.naca.net to locate an attorney in your area with experience in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and identity theft cases.
  
• What if you know the thief?
  Many times consumers know the thief that stole their information. It may be a coworker, friend or even a relative or loved one. This can create additional problems since the victim is afraid of getting the thief in trouble with the law. Identity theft is a serious crime, however, and if you do not handle the situation appropriately you may be stuck with the after-effects for years to come. For helpful guidelines describing what to do when you know the criminal, visit the ID Theft Resource Center at http://www.idtheftcenter.org.