Untitled Document
What should I do
if I learn from my consumer credit report that someone has stolen my identity
and is impersonating me?
Untitled Document
Untitled Document
Untitled Document
Review Your Credit Reports Regularly
If your identity has been stolen, regularly review your consumer credit reports
to detect any suspicious activity. You are entitled to free credit reports,
one from each of the three large credit reporting agencies within a 12 month
period. If you are a victim and place a 90-day fraud alert on your accounts,
you are entitled to 1 more free credit report from each of the three credit
bureaus. If you place a 7-year fraud alert on your accounts, you are entitled
to 2 more free credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus. We recommend
that you space out the timing of your request for your credit reports over the
12-month period. For example, request a credit report from TransUnion today,
another from Experian in about 4 months, and another from Equifax in 8 months
or so.
Inform Others
For a comprehensive list of steps you can take as an identity theft victim which
includes informing government agencies, businesses and the credit bureaus about
your identity theft situation, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (a nonprofit organization)
provides more in-depth information at: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm
Consider a Security Freeze or Fraud Alert
After having followed those steps,
you will need to decide how to protect your credit report so others cannot use
your personal information to open new credit accounts in your name. The following
is a list of choices that you can choose based on the risk you want in your
life. These options are designed to limit or fully prevent a third person from
opening new credit accounts (mortgages, cell phones, utilities, car loans, etc.)
in your name.
Security Freezes
- This option effectively prevents
third parties from fraudulently opening credit in your name.
- A security freeze can help prevent
identity theft. Most businesses will not issue new credit or loans to an individual
without first reviewing his or her credit report or credit score. If an individual's
credit file is frozen and an imposter applies for credit in that individual's
name, a creditor would deny the imposter's application, preventing an instance
of identity theft.
- When a consumer initially activates
the security freeze, the credit bureau will issue a unique PIN to the consumer
that can be used to "thaw" or lift the security freeze for a particular
creditor or specific amount of time.
- For more information and to find
out if your state offers this option, go to: http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns//learn_more/003484indiv.html
Fraud Alerts and Blocking information
on your credit report
- How it works: The credit reporting
agencies must include an "alert" on your file for potential creditors
to see so they know you are a victim or someone who suspects being a victim.
To place it, you must contact only one of the three major credit reporting
agencies. That one will inform the others.
- There are two types of Fraud Alerts:
the 90-day and 7 year Fraud Alerts.
- The 90-day fraud alert is for
those who suspect that they are victims of identity theft. You are also entitled
to 1 free credit report from each of the three main credit reporting agencies.
- The 7-year fraud alert is available
for identity theft victims only. For 5 years your name will automatically
be removed from telephone and mailing lists. You are entitled to 2 free credit
reports from each of the credit reporting agencies in the 12 month period
following placing the security alert.
- Fraud Alerts limit the likelihood
of someone being able to fraudulently open credit in your name.
- Problem: Creditors can still gain
access to your credit report, and new accounts may still be opened.
- To learn more about placing fraud
alerts and blocking information click
here
Opt-Out
To protect yourself further by removing
your name from mailing lists, pre-approved credit offers among other lists,
see below:
- To stop prescreened credit card offers, call toll free: 888-567-8688
- To get off many lists for marketing mail, calls and email:
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offtelephone
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumers/optoutform_emps.shtml
Mailing address to get off the lists
for mail and calls: click
here.
For information on the federal "Do
Not Call" list to avoid telemarketer calls, see: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
Other useful information for id theft victims
|
