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ID Theft: Identity Crisis...What to Do If Your Identity is Stolen
"I don't remember opening that credit card account. And I certainly didn't buy those items I'm being billed for."
Maybe you never opened that account, but someone else did...someone who used your name
and personal information to commit fraud. When an imposter co-opts your name, your Social
Security number (SSN), your credit card number, or some other piece of your personal
information for their use—in short, when someone appropriates your personal information
without your knowledge-it's a crime, pure and simple.
The biggest problem? You may not know your identity's been stolen until you notice that
something's amiss: you may get bills for a credit card account you never opened, your credit
report may include debts you never knew you had, a billing cycle may pass without your
receiving a statement, or you may see charges on your bills that you didn't sign for, didn't
authorize, and don't know anything about.
First Things First
If someone has stolen your identity, the Federal Trade Commission recommends that you take
three actions immediately:
First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them
to flag your file with a fraud alert including a statement that creditors should get your permission
before opening any new accounts in your name.
At the same time, ask the credit bureaus for copies of your credit reports. Credit bureaus must
give you a free copy of your report if it is inaccurate because of fraud. Review your reports
carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or
unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts. In a few months, order new copies of
your reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity
has occurred.
Second, contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened
fraudulently. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department, and follow up in
writing. Following up with a letter is one of the procedures spelled out in the Fair Credit Billing
Act for resolving errors on credit billing statements, including charges that you have not made.
Third, file a report with your local police or the police in the community where the
identity theft took place. Keep a copy in case your creditors need proof of the crime.
Next, Take Control
Although identity thieves can wreak havoc on your personal finances, there are some things you
can do to take control of the situation. Here's how to handle some of the most common forms of
identity theft.
If an identity thief has stolen your mail for access to new credit cards, bank and credit card
statements, pre-approved credit offers and tax information or falsified change-of-address forms,
(s)he has committed a crime. Report it to your local postal inspector.
If you discover that an identity thief has changed the billing address on an existing credit card
account, close the account. When you open a new account, ask that a password be used before
any inquiries or changes can be made on the account. Avoid using easily available information
like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone
number, or a series of consecutive numbers. Avoid the same information and numbers when you
create a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
If you have reason to believe that an identity thief has accessed your bank accounts, checking
account or ATM card, close the accounts immediately. When you open new accounts, insist on
password-only access. If your checks have been stolen or misused, stop payment. If your ATM
card has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised, cancel the card and get another with a
new PIN.
If an identity thief has established new phone or wireless service in your name and is making
unauthorized calls that appear to come from-and are billed to-your cellular phone, or is using
your calling card and PIN, contact your service provider immediately to cancel the account and
calling card. Get new accounts and new PINs.
If it appears that someone is using your SSN when applying for a job, get in touch with the
Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify the accuracy of your reported earnings and that
your name is reported correctly. Call (800) 772-1213 to check your Social Security Statement.
In addition, the SSA may issue you a new SSN at your request if, after trying to resolve the
problems brought on by identity theft, you continue to experience problems. Consider this option
carefully. A new SSN may not resolve your identity theft problems, and may actually create new
problems. For example, a new SSN does not necessarily ensure a new credit record because
credit bureaus may combine the credit records from your old SSN with those from your new
SSN. Even when the old credit information is not associated with your new SSN, the absence of
any credit history under your new SSN may make it more difficult for you to get credit. And
finally, there's no guarantee that a new SSN wouldn't also be misused by an identity thief.
If you suspect that your name or SSN is being used by an identity thief to get a driver's license,
report it to your Department of Motor Vehicles. Also, if your state uses your SSN as your
driver's license number, ask to substitute another number.
Stay Alert
Taking the steps outlined here should, in most cases, resolve your identity theft problems, but
identity theft or related credit problems may reoccur. Stay alert to new instances of identity theft.
Notify the company or creditor that's involved immediately. Follow up in writing.
Order a copy of your credit report from the three credit bureaus every year to check on their
accuracy and whether they include only those debts and loans you've incurred. This could be
very important if you're considering a major purchase, such as a house or a car. A credit bureau
may charge you up to $8.50 for a copy of your report.
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Copyright © Federal Trade Commission. Reprinted with permission.
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