Identity Theft Victims
If You’re A Victim of ID Theft or Credit Card Fraud
What Can You Do?
Your First Four Steps:
1. Contact the fraud departments of the national credit bureau systems - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.
Tell them that you're an identity theft victim. Request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file, as well as a "victim's statement" asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name.
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Equifax Consumer Fraud Assistance Dept. (800) 525-6285
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TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Dept. (800) 680-7289
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Experian Consumer Fraud Assistance Dept. (888) 397-3742)
2. Order a merged 3-bureau credit report.
Review your report carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts. Also, check the section of your report that lists "inquiries." Where "inquiries" appear from the company(ies) that opened the fraudulent account(s), request that these "inquiries" be removed from your report. In a few months, order a new copy of your 3-bureau credit report to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
Click here to order your 3 bureau credit report today!
3. Contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Creditors can include credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities; as well as banks and other lenders. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor, and follow up with a letter.
It's particularly important to notify credit card companies in writing because that's the consumer protection procedure the law spells out for resolving errors on credit card billing statements. Immediately close accounts that have been tampered with and open new ones with new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.
4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
Get a copy of the police report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime. Even if the police can't catch the identity thief in your case, having a copy of the police report can help you when dealing with creditors.
Other Steps that may be appropriate:
Stolen mail: If an identity thief has stolen your mail to get new credit cards, bank and credit card statements, pre-screened credit offers or tax information, or if an identity thief has falsified change-of-address forms, that's a crime. Report it to your local postal inspector.
Bank accounts: If you have reason to believe that an identity thief has tampered with your bank accounts, checks or ATM card, close the accounts immediately. When you open new accounts, insist on password-only access to minimize the chance that an identity thief can violate the accounts. In addition, if your checks have been stolen or misused, stop payment.
Also contact the major check verification companies to request that they notify retailers using their databases not to accept these checks, or ask your bank to notify the check verification service with which it does business.
> National Check Fraud Service: 1-843-571-2143
> SCAN: 1-800-262-7771
> TeleCheck: 1-800-710-9898 or 927-0188
> CrossCheck: 1-707-586-0551
> Equifax Check Systems: 1-800-437-5120
> International Check Services: 1-800-526-5380
> ATM card: If your ATM card has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised, cancel the card as soon as you can and get another with a new PIN.
Phone service: If an identity thief has established new phone service in your name; is making unauthorized calls that seem to come from - and are billed to - your cellular phone; or is using your calling card and PIN, contact your service provider immediately to cancel the account and/or calling card. Open new accounts and choose new PINs.
If you are having trouble getting fraudulent phone charges removed from your account, contact your state Public Utility Commission for local service providers or the Federal Communications Commission for long-distance service providers and cellular providers at www.fcc.gov/ccb/enforce/complaints.html or 1-888-CALL-FCC.
Employment: If you believe someone is using your SSN to apply for a job or to work, that's a crime. Report it to the SSA's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to verify the accuracy of the earnings reported on your SSN, and to request a copy of your Social Security Statement. Follow up your calls in writing.
Driver's license: If you suspect that your name or SSN is being used by an identity thief to get a driver's license or a non-driver's ID card, contact your Department of Motor Vehicles. If your state uses your SSN as your driver's license number, ask to substitute another number.
Bankruptcy: If you believe someone has filed for bankruptcy using your name, write to the U.S. Trustee in the Region where the bankruptcy was filed. A listing of the U.S. Trustee Program's Regions can be found at www.usdoj.gov/ust, or look in the Blue Pages of your phone book under U.S. Government - Bankruptcy Administration.
Any letter you may write should describe the situation and provide proof of your identity. The U.S. Trustee, if appropriate, will make a referral to criminal law enforcement authorities if you provide appropriate documentation to substantiate your claim. You also may want to file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney and/or the FBI in the city where the bankruptcy was filed.
Criminal records/arrests: In rare instances, an identity thief may create a criminal record under your name. For example, your imposter may give your name when being arrested. If this happens to you, you may need to hire an attorney to help resolve the problem. The procedures for clearing your name vary by jurisdiction.
Review your Credit Report Today! Privacy advocates advise consumers to protect themselves from identity theft and related crimes, by checking their credit reports twice a year, shredding personal documents before throwing them away and cleansing wallets of old receipts and printed social security numbers.
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