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How to Take Action If You're a Victim
1. Call your local police department – Financial fraud is
a crime.
2. Contact the fraud units of all three credit bureaus.
Ask them to "flag" your account, which tells creditors
that you are a victim of identity fraud. Also, add a victim's statement to each
of your credit bureau reports that asks creditors to contact you in person to
verify all applications made in your name. Call the fraud units of the credit
bureaus at:
- TransUnion Fraud Assistance Department
1-800-680-7289
- Equifax Fraud Assistance Department
1-800-525-6285
- Experian Fraud Assistance Department
1-888-397-3742
3. Call the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft hotline
at 1-877-IDTHEFT. The hotline is staffed by counselors
trained to help ID theft victims. Check out the FTC Web site, which includes
an Identity Theft Affidavit to help simplify the process of clearing up accounts
opened by an identity thief.
4. Notify your banks. They
can help you obtain new account numbers for all of your checking, savings and
other accounts. Be sure to pick a new PIN number for your ATM and debit cards.
Close all of your credit card accounts and open with new account numbers.
5. Notify the Postal Inspector if you suspect mail theft, which
is a felony.
6. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Depending on your situation, you may need a new Social
Security number. The SSA's telephone number is 1-800-772-1213. You also may
want to contact your telephone, long distance, water, gas and electric companies
to alert them that someone may try to open an account in your name.
7. Maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities
regarding the matter. Write down each person's name,
title, and phone number in case you need to re-contact them or refer to them
in future correspondence.
See also:
Protecting Your Financial Identity
© Copyright 2006 American Bankers Association,
1120 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036. All rights reserved.

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