Report Identity Theft – Step by Step

Author: Andy Mitchel | Filed under: Identity Theft Recovery | No Comments »

If you think you have become a victim of identity theft or fraud, take action immediately and report identity theft now.

Identity theft and fraud are crimes in which a person wrongfully obtains and uses deception or fraud to take advantage of another person’s personal data, usually for financial gain. Identifying information-such as Social Security, bank account, and credit card numbers-can be used without permission to remove funds from bank and other financial accounts. In the worst-case scenario, an identity thief could mirror a person’s identity altogether, creating new accounts and vast debts, and even committing other crimes in the victim’s name.

Report identity Theft – Step by Step

1. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to have them place a fraud alert in your file. This will require that creditors contact you before opening new accounts in your name or changing information on existing accounts. Once the alert is activated, all the credit bureaus will be notified.
   • Equifax, 1-800-685-1111, Fraud Hotline: 1-888-766-0008
   • Experian, 1-888-397-3742, Fraud Hotline: 1-888-397-3742
   • TransUnion, 1-800-916-8800, Fraud Hotline: 1-800-680-7289
2. Get a copy of your credit report and review it closely. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Victims of identity theft have the right to request that those debts incurred through fraud are blocked from future credit reports. An ID Theft affidavit, accepted by most credit companies, is available online (Report Identity Theft – Victim’s Complaint and Affidavit on ftc.org).
3. Report Identity Theft Crime to local police or police in the community where the theft took place. Obtain copies of fraudulent credit and account applications from the three major credit bureaus and give copies to the police.
4. Contact the Social Security Administration (all contacts you can find at ssa.gov site)if you feel that your social security number is being used.

Follow these Steps and you’ll not need to Report Identity Theft

You can take these steps to reduce your vulnerability to identity theft.

• Be stingy about revealing personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them. Adopt a “need to know” basis for revealing personal data. Keep information printed on personal bank checks to a minimum. If someone contacts you via telephone or the Internet and offers a prize but asks for personal data, ask them to mail you a form, and check the company with the Better Business Bureau. When traveling, have mail held at the local post office or have a trusted person collect your mail. Be careful when throwing out documents that contain personal information.
• Check financial information often for irregular activity, and review statements for any charges or transactions that should not be there. Statements for your bank and credit card accounts should arrive monthly; if not, contact the company or financial institution.
• Ask for a copy of your credit report periodically, and review it to confirm that no unknown accounts have been opened in your name.
• Maintain careful records. Keep monthly statements and cancelled checks or their copies for at least a year. These can be useful if you need to dispute a transaction.