Identity theft is considered to be the fastest growing crime in America. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the number of identity theft incidents reached 9.9 million in 2003. If you suspect that you have been a victim of this damaging crime, it is important to take action right away. A few weeks could be the difference between a simple credit card fraud and an all out identity attack. TrueCredit offers the following fraud resolution worksheet for your assistance.
If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft, your first step is to gather as much information as possible about the crime. Save copies of all your account information and communications in a safe place for future reference. Look for the following:
Date : ____________________________
Credit Reports
Name change
Address change
Employment change
New employer
Consumer statement
New accounts
Closed accounts
Account balances
Credit limit change
Collection accounts
Bankruptcy filings
Tax liens
Judgments
Unauthorized inquiries
Checking Accounts
Strange charges
Address change
Term change
Strange deposits
Check requests
Card cancellation
International use
Savings and Investments
Strange withdrawals
Address change
Strange transfers or notifications
Utility Accounts
Strange charges
Change of address
Change of terms
Strange calls or letters from utilities
At Home
Missing bills
Strange letters from creditors
Change of address information
Strange calls from creditors
Use the information you gathered to contact your creditors, financial institutions and businesses to report the crime. Call the customer service departments for the accounts you think a thief is using or that they might have opened in your name. Most creditors will only hold you liable for up to $50 of the fraudulent charges if you report the fraud right away. Keep records of your communications here:
Account
Reported
Result
Example - Bank of Kansas Credit Card
Fraudulent purchase of a television ($800)
Charge cancelled and new card sent
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Your next step is to report the fraud to the three credit reporting agencies - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. You only have to contact one agency to have a fraud alert added to all three reports:
TransUnion
Equifax
To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289
To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285
or write Fraud Victim Assistance Division,
or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA, 30374-0241
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
Record your contact here:
Experian
Date : ____________________________________
To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Credit reporting agency : _____________________
or write: P.O. Box 9530, Allen, TX 75013
Results : __________________________________
If your identity theft case goes beyond simple credit card fraud, you may also want to file a police report. You may need a copy of the report to submit to the credit reporting agencies or financial institutions as proof of the crime.
After 30-60 days, check your credit reports and financial accounts again to see if there are any new signs of identity theft or records that still need to be removed. Print and complete a new version of this fraud worksheet and keep it in a safe place with your other fraud resolution records. Work with your creditors and the credit reporting agencies to dispute any fraudulent records.
Don't let a thief steal your credit again. Purchase a cross cutting shredder to destroy sensitive documents before throwing them away. Install a locking mailbox and keep a close eye on your accountstatements for signs of new fraud.
