HELP ME NOW
If
you believe you have recently become a victim of identity theft, we
recommend the following steps. You can also visit
www.identitytheft.org to find very helpful
information and tools to help you fight back.
If your ID is stolen you should immediately do the following:
- Call the fraud departments of all three credit bureaus. Ask them
to put a "fraud alert" on your file. That tells creditors to call
you before they open any more accounts in your name.
- Contact the credit companies involved. This would be the bank
or credit card issuer who opened the fraudulent account or allowed
access to your existing account. Close all affected accounts immediately.
- Contact the local police and ask to file an identity theft report.
Even if they can't catch the thief, having a police report can help
you clear your credit records later on.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling
the Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) or use the
complaint form on its Web site @ www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
Who Can Help?
There are a number of resources to contact for help repairing your
identity and credit record.
Credit Bureaus
Your credit report includes information on where you work and live,
the credit accounts that have been opened in your name, how you pay
your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested or filed for bankruptcy.
Checking your report on a regular basis can help catch mistakes and
fraud before they wreak havoc on your personal finances.
Equifax - www.equifax.com
To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241,
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta,
GA 30374-0241
Experian - www.experian.com
To order your report, call: 888-397-3742 or write: P.O. Box 2104,
Allen TX 75013
To report fraud, call: 888-397-3742 or write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen
TX 75013
Trans Union - www.tuc.com
To order your report, call: 800-916-8800 or write: P.O. Box 1000,
Chester, PA 19022
To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 or write: Fraud Victim Assistance
Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
Agencies & Information Links
Federal Trade Commission @ www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm
U.S. Government @ www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.html
U.S. Department of Justice @ www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse @ www.privacyrights.org/index.htm
Indentity Theft Website @ www.identitytheft.org
