Six Steps to Deal with Identity Theft

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Monday, 11 June 2007

Identity theft is something that many people have had to deal with over the years; especially recently with the rise in use of the internet for online business or banking purposes. If you have recently become a victim of identity theft or feel that your personal information is in the hands of a person that might make you a victim in the future, here are six things you can do in order to help yourself.

Step #1:

Close any accounts that you feel might be targeted or already targeted by the identity thief. This includes credit cards, bank accounts, bills or anything else that you think might have been affected. Make sure that your requests as well as any follow up letters are sent to the companies in writing by certified mail so that you know exactly what you have sent and what the company has received.

If any new activity or accounts have been created, then dispute that information both with the company and with the credit bureau if that information has already made it onto your account.

Step #2:

Alert the three major credit bureaus and make sure that they have flagged your credit account with a fraud alert. This will remain on your report for about three months and also entitle you to receive one free report from each of the three major credit bureaus; their addresses and contact information are listed below:

Equifax

160 Peachtree Street NW Atlanta GA 30309

1-888-766-0008 for fraud alert

1-800-685-1111 to request credit report

Experian

701 Experian Parkway Allen TX 75013

1-888-397-3742

Trans Union

PO Box 1000 Chester PA 19022

1-800-888-4213

Step #3:

If you know for a fact you have been the victim of identity theft then you can skip this step. Review each of the three credit reports you have just received and see if there is anything unauthorized in terms of accounts or spending or anything else that is already on there. Even if you don't find anything yet, still continue to look at things over the next few months to see if anything untoward happens. If something does happen, proceed to the next step.

Step #4:

Get the law enforcement people involved by filing an identity theft report with your local law enforcement agency. If needed, go to the state and federal levels as well but make sure that you are able to get someone aware of the problems you have been undergoing. Identity theft unfortunately is not given that high a priority with law enforcement agencies and therefore it can be difficult to get an in person appointment with someone. Keep at it and if you are having a lot of problems with it, then get in touch with your local or state Attorney General's office.

Step #5:

Once you have a documented identity theft report filed with a law enforcement agency, take that report back and submit certified copies of it to all three credit bureaus. This will result in an extended fraud victim alert being placed on your account. This entitles you to two more free credit reports from each bureau as well as removal of your name from pre-screened credit card officers for the next half decade. The majority of really damaging identity theft attacks take place through these pre-screened offers, so this step is of the utmost importance.

Step #6:

Depending on the state you live in, you may or may not be able to resort to a security freeze in the event that nothing else is working. A security freeze simply stops all activity on your credit report. It will prevent you from opening up any new accounts, but it will also stop the identity thief from doing that as well.

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