What can I do Once I Have Fallen Victim to Identity Fraud
Despite the very best efforts and even better intentions -- fraud will still occur and even to those who take all precautions and keep the very best records. Remember above all else, that criminals can be exceptionally smart and for this reason, they continue to get away with such offensive crimes.
When all precautions have been taken and a crime still does occur, the only recourse left to be taken is as follows:
Always and without exception, act immediately and without haste. This will, often, minimize the extent of the damage done to your personal funds and financial accounts, not to mention your important reputation and personal name.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to best protect yourself, today!
**Contact the Federal Trade Commission and report all details.
**Telephone toll-free at 1-877-ID THEFT (877-438-4338) or TDD at 202-326-2502, or ** Mail to Consumer Response Center, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580.
**Contact the Federal Trade Commission under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act
**They are responsible for processing your complaint if you feel you have been victimized by identity theft. They will issue informational materials and refer you to appropriate entities, including the major credit reporting agencies and law enforcement agencies.
**You can gain additional information by checking the FTC's identity theft web page.
**Contact your local FBI as well as the U.S. Secret Service to report your claims.
In the event of other forms of identity theft
**Contact your local office of the Postal Inspection Service for matters involving a change-of-address form with the Post Office to redirect your mail.
**Contact the Social Security Administration when your SS number has been used fraudulently. (call 800-269-0271 to report the fraud);
**Contact the Internal Revenue Service when your identification information has been used connected with tax violations (call 1-800-829-0433 to report the violations).
*IMPORTANT!*
WITHOUT EXCEPTION, REPORT FRAUD TO THE THREE MAJOR CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES. DO THIS IMMEDIATELY:
EQUIFAX: To report fraud, call (800) 525-6285 or write to P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374-0250. To order a copy of your credit report ($8 in most states), write to P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241, or call (800) 685-1111. To dispute information in your report, call the phone number provided on your credit report. To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit, call (888) 567-8688 or write to Equifax Options, P.O. Box 740123, Atlanta GA 30374-0123.
EXPERIAN (formerly TRW) To report fraud, call (888) EXPERIAN or (888) 397-3742, fax to (800) 301-7196, or write to P.O. Box 1017, Allen, TX 75013. To order a copy of your credit report ($8 in most states): P.O. Box 2104, Allen TX 75013, or call (888) EXPERIAN. To dispute information in your report, call the phone number provided on your credit report. To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit and marketing lists, call (800) 353-0809 or (888) 5OPTOUT or write to P.O. Box 919, Allen, TX 75013.
TRANS UNION To report fraud, call (800) 680-7289 or write to P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634. To order a copy of your credit report ($8 in most states), write to P.O. Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064 or call: (800) 888-4213. To dispute information in your report, call the phone number provided on your credit report. To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit and marketing lists, call (800) 680-7293 or (888) 5OPTOUT or write to P.O Box 97328, Jackson, MS 39238.