Identity Theft

Nov 29, 2007 4:00 PM

IDENTITY THEFT/FRAUD

I. Contact local police and file a report

II. Contact the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Hotline – 1-877-ID-THEFT

III. Contact Fraud Departments at all four credit bureaus – Equifax, Transunion, Experian, Innovis

· Request Fraud alert placed on your accounts

· Request copy of credit reports (free if victim of ID theft)

IV. Contact creditors- close all accounts tampered with and open new ones if needed

V. If theft affects bank accounts

· Contact bank immediately

· Close account

· Put password protection on new account

· Stop payment on all missing/stolen checks

VI. If fraud affects your securities/investments/brokerage accounts – contact your account manager/broker and the Securities & Exchange Comm. At 1-800-SEC-0330

VII. Phone, cell or utilities – contact your local carrier, state Public Utilities Commision or the Federal Communications Comm. (long distance service)

VIII. Stolen mail or false change of address - contact your Postal Inspector

IX. If your SSN is involved – contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271

X. Driver’s License or ID contact local DMV

XI. Notify the Passport Office if a new passport was made in your name

XII. If fraudulent bankruptcy occurs- contact the U.S. Trustee in your region – listings available from the Department of Justice

XIII. Criminal ID Theft: If a civil judgment is entered in your name as a result of an imposter’s actions, contact

· The court where judgment was entered

· Area police department

· Court in jurisdiction of the arrest

· State Department of Justice

· FBI

RULES TO FOLLOW

I. Document Everything!!!!

II. Follow up on your actions

III. Be persistent don’t give up

IV. Don’t give in – and never, NEVER agree to pay ANY portion of the debt!!!!!

V. Keep records of all correspondence – include commitments to take action

VI. Follow up all conversations with a written summary

VII. Send all correspondence to credit bureaus and law enforcement by certified mail – return receipt requested

VIII. Prepare to fill out signed affidavits of forgery to establish your innocence for all involved parties – NYSUT Legal Service Plan

IX. When closing accounts

· Do not allow the closing status to be “Card lost or stolen” – it could place responsibility upon you for debt incurred

X. If discrepancies exist

· Contact companies with all relevant documentation

· Request copies of all credit applications – do not take “NO” for an answer

· Request copies of each company’s fraud procedures

· Get signed affidavits

· Cooperate and follow all procedures as requested to expedite

· Once fraud has been acknowledged, request written confirmation from company to be sent to credit bureau

THINGS TO CONSIDER

I. If creditors, agencies or credit bureaus are uncooperative, consult an attorney that specializes in consumer law – NYSUT Legal Service Plan

II. To deal with stress and anxiety

· Psychological counseling may be needed

· You can network with other victims via the Identity Theft Resource center at www.idtheftcneter.org