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Published: Sep 16, 2005 01:40 PM
Mon - May 12, 2003
Part IV: What To Do When Your Identity Is Stolen
Acting quickly can mean the
difference between confronting an annoyance and enduring many years of credit
hardship.
This article is informational in
nature and is not legal advice. If you need legal counsel, consult a licensed
attorney in your
jurisdiction.
Chances are, by the time you discover that your identity has been stolen, an identity thief has been using it for months. S/he may have charged purchases or opened new accounts in your name. She may have provided your social security number and your address to a new employer so that her income will be tax free. S/he may even have created fake identification bearing your identity.
You must act quickly and decisively to prevent further damage to your credit and to begin setting things right.
Where should you start?
First, contact the three major credit reporting services: Experian, TransUnion, and EquiFax to report the identity theft and to add a security alert to your credit file. Besides using web-based contact mechanisms, you can mail or call these services at:
Experian National Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 1017
Allen TX 75013
Phone: 888-397-3742
TransUnion
Fraud Victims Assistance Unit
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
Phone: 800-680-7289
Fax: 714-447-6034
Email: fvad@transunion.com
Equifax Credit Information Services
Consumer Fraud Division
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348
Phone: 800-525-6285
The credit reporting agencies recently announced that they will share identity theft reports amongst themselves so it may only be necessary to inform one of the reporting agencies that you are an identity theft victim. Ask them for details. Once you've contacted a credit reporting agency, do several things:
1. Buy yourself a binder and begin to fill it with information and documents related to the identity theft, including a chronology, a log of all phone conversations and correspondence, contact names, addresses, phone numbers, a journal of your feelings about the crime, and any costs and time you incur while resolving the fraud. This information may be useful if you are ever brought before a judge for the perpetrator's crimes, or if the perpetrator is caught and you want to demonstrate your emotional suffering and hardship to the court.
2. Place a security alert on your file. This has the effect of immediately removing your name from lists of pre-approved offers from credit card companies, banks, and other institutions for six months and can hamper information flow to identity thieves who are stealing your mail. A security alert will also prevent perpetrators from using personal information they have gleaned to perform additional research by ordering your credit report online.
3. Ask the credit reporting agencies to place a victim's statement in your credit file to the effect that new creditors should contact you to verify your identity before issuing new accounts.
4. California residents may also request a security freeze on their credit reports. A security freeze bars the credit reporting agencies from disclosing any information from your credit history without your express permission; however, placing a security freeze on your credit file may delay or interfere with legitimate loan or credit applications.
5. Request a copy of your credit report. The credit reporting agencies must provide one free copy of your credit report to you if you certify in writing that you are an indentity fraud victim and that the report may contain fraudulent records.
6. Review the credit report carefully. Make sure that it reflects the victim's security alert you have requested. If you see anything inaccurate or suspicious in the report, notify the credit reporting agencies immediately and request in writing that the information be removed from your credit history. If an entity with which you are unfamiliar has inquired about your credit history in the past, call or write and ask them why.
7. Sign up to receive real-time reports from at least one credit reporting agency about changes to your credit history, such as applications for new accounts, etc. Technically, it would be best to receive such reports regularly from all three credit reporting agencies, as they may receive different information; however, at the present time, every real-time reporting service draws upon only one credit reporting agency so you'll need to decide whether you want to enroll in more than one.
Second, file a police report in your home town. Besides quenching your thirst for revenge on the perpetrator, filing a report may be necessary if any creditors to whom you report fraudulent account activity require you to submit an affidavit to the effect that you were not the perpetrator and that you informed police of the crime. Inform any credit reporting agencies and creditors with whom you are working that you have reported the crime to the police and that you consent to their cooperation with investigation of the crime. Note: You may have to file more than one police report if the crime occurred elsewhere and another police force has primary jurisdiction.
Third, notify all your credit card issuers by phone and in writing that you are a victim of identity theft. Make sure that they have your current address on file (in case the identity thief has filed a change of address) and ask for a copy of all recent transactions on your accounts. Dispute any fraudulent activity immediately. If your credit card accounts have been compromised, consider closing them and opening new credit card numbers. In any event, request that a security password be placed in your file. You will have to provide this password whenever you call the credit card company in the future so choose a passphrase you can remember easily, but do not use your mother's maiden name, spouse's name, pet's name, or anything else that is easy for an identity thief to learn. Note: If your identity thief works at the credit card company establishing a secret password may force him to tip his hand.
Fourth, notify all your utility providers, including your cellular phone provider, by phone and in writing that you are a victim of identity theft. Tell them not to open new accounts in your name without calling you first and ask them to establish a password that you can use to verify your identity when you call with questions about your accounts.
Fifth, contact any relevant government agencies.
• The Federal Trade Commission, (877) 438-4338, acts as a clearinghouse for identity theft reports and offers extensive information about the crime on its web site. Resources include a sample victim's affidavit for use with creditors. The agency also allows identity theft victims to file a complaint and to seek assistance in working with uncooperative creditors. They also publish a primer on identity theft called "ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name."
• If your driver's license or state-issued identification card was stolen, notify your state DMV. You should also inform the DMV if your social security number was stolen, as this may prevent a thief from using your social security number to obtain a new, real "replacement" license in your home state.
• The Social Security Administration, (800) 772-1213, generally does not issue new social security numbers—and the credit reporting agencies strongly discourage identity theft victims from changing their social security numbers. Nevertheless, you should contact the SSA for a copy of your current Social Security Earnings & Benefits Statement to make certain that the perpetrator is not using your SSN for employment purposes or to secure benefits in your name. If your social security number is being misused for this purpose, contact the SSA's fraud hotline at (800) 269-0271. If you suspect that someone is buying or selling stolen social security cards or that your social security number misuse may involve people with links to terrorist groups or activities, contact the Office of the Inspector General.
• The U.S. Postal Inspectors Office should be informed if an identity thief steals your mail, steals your passport, or files a change of address request in your name.
• If you are a California resident and have been brought before a court because of crimes committed by a person who stole your identity, or if you have been mistakenly associated with a criminal conviction, then you may be eligible to be added to a special Identity Theft Database maintained by the state attorney general. To apply for admission to the database requires a court order certifying that you are a victim of identity theft. Identity theft victims who are in the database can provide third parties with an official number to call to verify that they are innocent of the crime.
Sixth, if the perpetrator stole checks from you, had new checks printed in your name, or opened false bank accounts in your name, you should notify the following check verification companies:
CheckRite, (800) 766-2748
Chex Systems, (800) 328-5121
Equifax-Telecredit, (800) 437-5120
National Processing Company, (800) 526-5380
SCAN, (800) 262-7771
Tele-Check, (800) 366-2425
Consider sending all written correspondence return receipt requested so you have a record that it was sent and received.
This is part four of a series. To continue reading the rest of the articles in this series, select:
Part I: It Happened To Me; It Can Happen To You
Part II: How Identity Theft Occurs
Part III: How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Part V: Online Resources for Identity Theft Victims
Part VI: Opting Out--How To Protect Your Privacy
Chances are, by the time you discover that your identity has been stolen, an identity thief has been using it for months. S/he may have charged purchases or opened new accounts in your name. She may have provided your social security number and your address to a new employer so that her income will be tax free. S/he may even have created fake identification bearing your identity.
You must act quickly and decisively to prevent further damage to your credit and to begin setting things right.
Where should you start?
First, contact the three major credit reporting services: Experian, TransUnion, and EquiFax to report the identity theft and to add a security alert to your credit file. Besides using web-based contact mechanisms, you can mail or call these services at:
Experian National Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 1017
Allen TX 75013
Phone: 888-397-3742
TransUnion
Fraud Victims Assistance Unit
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
Phone: 800-680-7289
Fax: 714-447-6034
Email: fvad@transunion.com
Equifax Credit Information Services
Consumer Fraud Division
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348
Phone: 800-525-6285
The credit reporting agencies recently announced that they will share identity theft reports amongst themselves so it may only be necessary to inform one of the reporting agencies that you are an identity theft victim. Ask them for details. Once you've contacted a credit reporting agency, do several things:
1. Buy yourself a binder and begin to fill it with information and documents related to the identity theft, including a chronology, a log of all phone conversations and correspondence, contact names, addresses, phone numbers, a journal of your feelings about the crime, and any costs and time you incur while resolving the fraud. This information may be useful if you are ever brought before a judge for the perpetrator's crimes, or if the perpetrator is caught and you want to demonstrate your emotional suffering and hardship to the court.
2. Place a security alert on your file. This has the effect of immediately removing your name from lists of pre-approved offers from credit card companies, banks, and other institutions for six months and can hamper information flow to identity thieves who are stealing your mail. A security alert will also prevent perpetrators from using personal information they have gleaned to perform additional research by ordering your credit report online.
3. Ask the credit reporting agencies to place a victim's statement in your credit file to the effect that new creditors should contact you to verify your identity before issuing new accounts.
4. California residents may also request a security freeze on their credit reports. A security freeze bars the credit reporting agencies from disclosing any information from your credit history without your express permission; however, placing a security freeze on your credit file may delay or interfere with legitimate loan or credit applications.
5. Request a copy of your credit report. The credit reporting agencies must provide one free copy of your credit report to you if you certify in writing that you are an indentity fraud victim and that the report may contain fraudulent records.
6. Review the credit report carefully. Make sure that it reflects the victim's security alert you have requested. If you see anything inaccurate or suspicious in the report, notify the credit reporting agencies immediately and request in writing that the information be removed from your credit history. If an entity with which you are unfamiliar has inquired about your credit history in the past, call or write and ask them why.
7. Sign up to receive real-time reports from at least one credit reporting agency about changes to your credit history, such as applications for new accounts, etc. Technically, it would be best to receive such reports regularly from all three credit reporting agencies, as they may receive different information; however, at the present time, every real-time reporting service draws upon only one credit reporting agency so you'll need to decide whether you want to enroll in more than one.
Second, file a police report in your home town. Besides quenching your thirst for revenge on the perpetrator, filing a report may be necessary if any creditors to whom you report fraudulent account activity require you to submit an affidavit to the effect that you were not the perpetrator and that you informed police of the crime. Inform any credit reporting agencies and creditors with whom you are working that you have reported the crime to the police and that you consent to their cooperation with investigation of the crime. Note: You may have to file more than one police report if the crime occurred elsewhere and another police force has primary jurisdiction.
Third, notify all your credit card issuers by phone and in writing that you are a victim of identity theft. Make sure that they have your current address on file (in case the identity thief has filed a change of address) and ask for a copy of all recent transactions on your accounts. Dispute any fraudulent activity immediately. If your credit card accounts have been compromised, consider closing them and opening new credit card numbers. In any event, request that a security password be placed in your file. You will have to provide this password whenever you call the credit card company in the future so choose a passphrase you can remember easily, but do not use your mother's maiden name, spouse's name, pet's name, or anything else that is easy for an identity thief to learn. Note: If your identity thief works at the credit card company establishing a secret password may force him to tip his hand.
Fourth, notify all your utility providers, including your cellular phone provider, by phone and in writing that you are a victim of identity theft. Tell them not to open new accounts in your name without calling you first and ask them to establish a password that you can use to verify your identity when you call with questions about your accounts.
Fifth, contact any relevant government agencies.
• The Federal Trade Commission, (877) 438-4338, acts as a clearinghouse for identity theft reports and offers extensive information about the crime on its web site. Resources include a sample victim's affidavit for use with creditors. The agency also allows identity theft victims to file a complaint and to seek assistance in working with uncooperative creditors. They also publish a primer on identity theft called "ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name."
• If your driver's license or state-issued identification card was stolen, notify your state DMV. You should also inform the DMV if your social security number was stolen, as this may prevent a thief from using your social security number to obtain a new, real "replacement" license in your home state.
• The Social Security Administration, (800) 772-1213, generally does not issue new social security numbers—and the credit reporting agencies strongly discourage identity theft victims from changing their social security numbers. Nevertheless, you should contact the SSA for a copy of your current Social Security Earnings & Benefits Statement to make certain that the perpetrator is not using your SSN for employment purposes or to secure benefits in your name. If your social security number is being misused for this purpose, contact the SSA's fraud hotline at (800) 269-0271. If you suspect that someone is buying or selling stolen social security cards or that your social security number misuse may involve people with links to terrorist groups or activities, contact the Office of the Inspector General.
• The U.S. Postal Inspectors Office should be informed if an identity thief steals your mail, steals your passport, or files a change of address request in your name.
• If you are a California resident and have been brought before a court because of crimes committed by a person who stole your identity, or if you have been mistakenly associated with a criminal conviction, then you may be eligible to be added to a special Identity Theft Database maintained by the state attorney general. To apply for admission to the database requires a court order certifying that you are a victim of identity theft. Identity theft victims who are in the database can provide third parties with an official number to call to verify that they are innocent of the crime.
Sixth, if the perpetrator stole checks from you, had new checks printed in your name, or opened false bank accounts in your name, you should notify the following check verification companies:
CheckRite, (800) 766-2748
Chex Systems, (800) 328-5121
Equifax-Telecredit, (800) 437-5120
National Processing Company, (800) 526-5380
SCAN, (800) 262-7771
Tele-Check, (800) 366-2425
Consider sending all written correspondence return receipt requested so you have a record that it was sent and received.
This is part four of a series. To continue reading the rest of the articles in this series, select:
Part I: It Happened To Me; It Can Happen To You
Part II: How Identity Theft Occurs
Part III: How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Part V: Online Resources for Identity Theft Victims
Part VI: Opting Out--How To Protect Your Privacy