IDENTITY THEFT – INDENTITY CRISIS
If your identity is stolen, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you take three immediately actions.
With the protections of the Identity Theft Shield you would have to worry about the following: www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/alphonso62
First, you must contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus.(See below) Tell them to flag you 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. Check your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts. For the next several months, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
CREDIT BUREAUS
Equifax www.equifax.com
Experian www.experian.com
Trans Union www.tuc.com
Second, you must contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Ask to speak with someone in the fraud/security department and follow up in writing. Following up with a letter is very important. It is part of the record.
Third, you must 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.
People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or even years and thousands of dollars to clean up the mess the thieves have made of their good name and credit record.
Alphonso Smith, writer and personal security analyst. Part time internet marketer. Go to: www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/alphonso62
or for more information: www.ourtopchoices. com
