What To Do If You Become A Victim Of Identity Theft

If you think you've become a victim of identity theft or fraud, act immediately to minimize the damage to your personal funds and financial accounts, as well as your reputation. Here are some suggested measures to take:

Here are a few basics to protecting your identity:

• Call the toll-free fraud number of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will automatically be notified to place fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.
• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
• File a report with your local police in the community where the identity theft took place.
• Complete the ID Theft Affidavit.
• File a complaint with the FTC.
• Review all your accounts, including bank accounts.
• Contact other creditors.
• Review your investment accounts.
• Contact your telephone and cellular telephone service providers.
• Contact your local Postal Inspector.
• Contact the Social Security Department.
• Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Most victims can get accounts closed and debts dismissed by completing the creditor's fraud paperwork or the ID Theft Affidavit and including a copy of your police report. Insist on a letter from the creditor stating that they have closed the disputed accounts and have discharged you of the fraudulent debts.

If the identity thief has tampered with your existing credit accounts, dispute in writing any charges run up by the identity thief on those accounts. Ask the creditor to send you the company's fraud dispute forms. If the company doesn't have special forms, you can use this sample letter.

The following tips can help keep your case organized:

• Follow up in writing with all contacts you've made on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipt requested.
• Keep copies of all correspondence or forms you send.
• Keep a list of anyone you talk to, what you were told, and the date of the conversation.
• Keep originals of supporting documentation, like police reports and letters to and from creditors; share copies only.
• Set up a filing system for easy access to your paperwork.
• Keep old files even if you think your case is closed. Although most cases once resolved, stay resolved, in some cases, problems can crop up again. Should this happen, you'll be glad you kept your files.