Identity Theft Protection
When you use credit, you should check your files regularly. The three national credit reporting agencies are:
Trans Union PO Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064 (800) 888-4213
Experian (formerly known as TRW) PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013 (800) 422-4879
Equifax PO Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374 (800) 378-2732
Some people have a great credit profile and they are a real asset to them, but others do not. Credit ratings are used not just to assess your credit risk, but they are also used when you apply for some jobs, insurance or even to simply rent a property. At all times, your credit report will ultimately decide a lender's acceptance or denial of your application.
One of the best ways to check for identity fraud, identity theft or stolen identity is to constantly monitor your credit file. All of the three major credit bureaus will provide you with this service. You can do a simple search online to find hundreds of companies willing to conduct this very service for you. Online credit report services are convenient and provide you with instant access. Very handy when just learning that someone has stolen your personal credit information. Monitoring your credit file will afford you much needed peace of mind. Any type of credit transaction stolen and used in your name will turn up on your report so check often. Check your credit profile and credit rating to learn quickly if something unusual has turned up in your name.
Important Steps to Combat Identity Fraud and Theft
Once you have been taken advantage of in just this way prepare for a long and expensive road ahead. You will now need to go about your business erasing negative credit, and educating yourself in all there is to know about theft protection. Obviously, had you known to do this earlier you would not have become a victim. All is not lost, there are excellent resources available to help you in your time of need.
Your Best Plan to Reduce Risk
**Think twice before handing out your personal information to others unless you have good reason to trust them, regardless of where you are.
**Think smart. Should a bank rep contact your asking your for information already on file with your credit report don't risk giving it out again. Simply state that information is already on file.
**Have your bank checks printed with only the least amount of personal information as possible. For instance you need not have your home phone number of SS number printed for the world to see. Give that out to only those needing it for legitimate reasons and protect yourself that much more.
**When dealing with someone by phone and they require your personal contact information such as SS number or mother's maiden name request that they send a written request only. You will be able to verify their legitimacy this way.
**Should any caller refuse to go along with your request and insist your comply with their terms, hang up the phone. They are likely a fraud!
**Review a copy of your credit report on a regular basis.
**Maintain good records of all of your financial and personal dealings involving the use of your identification.
Protect Yourself:
With bank or credit card accounts, request monthly statements and be certain that they list transactions for the most recent month or reporting period.
Telephone the institutions who DO NOT issue you a monthly statement for the accounts that you have with them and insist that they explain the reasons why. If it is NOT their current policy to do so then consider switching to another institution that does and advise them that you are considering doing this!
If you're instructed that your statements have, in fact, been mailed to an alternate address (other than your current one,) immediately advise the financial institution or credit card representative immediately that the address as given is not your own and that you did not authorize the use of the address given by them. Let them know that you feel it is likely that someone unauthorized could be impersonating you and possibly improperly using your accounts. If that be the case, that you fear such a crime has taken place, ask that immediate copies of all statements and debit or charge transactions that have occurred since the last statement you received, be sent out to your current address, or better still, arrange to pick them up in person and while there to speak with the Manager. After going over each statement thoroughly and finding there has, in fact, been a fraud committed, telephone your local police IMMEDIATELY. Next, contact all of the institutions involved and follow their express instructions on how to proceed.
Take Precautions:
When aware that someone has obtained your financial data and made unauthorized debits or charges against your financial accounts, by confirming this with your monthly statements, carefully, you will have the proof that you need to take immediate action. Without this important proof, you will have little ammunition to take proper action against the predator who has stolen your identity.
When tempted to simply toss those monthly statements aside for later perusal, or when wishing to make only a very quick glance through, you run the risk of NOT learning in a timely way of any irregular and possibly fraudulent action. You could be missing your window of opportunity to verify any unauthorized withdrawals or charges and then you will be held responsible to pay the high cost to correct the problem, later. Also, quickly confirming that a crime has taken place against your name, can very well mean the difference between the authorities being able to hunt down the criminal involved and that criminal being able to make his "great escape" to the Fiji Islands.
When your suspicion has been positively confirmed that a criminal has succeeded in gaining access to your mail or other personal data, and opened any credit cards in your name or taken any funds from your bank account, act immediately by contacting your local police. Next, contact your financial institutions or credit card companies immediately and report all transactions and request that further action be taken to secure your resources. Quickly, gather all proof of your claim and have everything kept together in one place for instant retrieval, later. Follow the exact instructions given by the authorities and await further instructions.