Victim Of ID Theft? How To Fight Back

Having your identity stolen can bring financial devastation quickly and may have long-term effects that can make your life miserable. So let's first address how to avoid ID theft in the first place:

According to the Federal Trade Commission skilled thieves use several methods to obtain your personal data:



"How identity thieves get your personal information:
-They get information from businesses or other institutions by:
-stealing records or information while they're on the job
-bribing an employee who has access to these records
-hacking these records
-conning information out of employees
-They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks, and tax information.
-They may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public trash dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving."
-They may get your credit reports by abusing their employer's authorized access to them, or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who may have a legal right to access your report.
-They may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information in a data storage device in a practice known as "skimming." They may swipe your card for an actual purchase, or attach the device to an ATM machine where you may enter or swipe your card.
-They may steal your wallet or purse.
-They may complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
-They may steal personal information they find in your home.
-They may steal personal information from you through email or phone by posing as legitimate companies and claiming that you have a problem with your account. This practice is known as "phishing" online, or pretexting by phone.

How identity thieves use your personal information:
-They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem.
-They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the credit cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report.
-They may establish phone or wireless service in your name.
-They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
-They may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, and drain your bank account.
-They may file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.
-They may buy a car by taking out an auto loan in your name.
-They may get identification such as a driver's license issued with their picture, in your name.
-They may get a job or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
-They may give your name to the police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name."

Steps You Need To Take Immediately:

"1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.
Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too.
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); http://www.experian.com/; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; http://www.transunion.com/; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790"

"2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up in writing, and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. It's important to notify credit card companies and banks in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures."

"3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
Then, get a copy of the police report or at the very least, the number of the report. It can help you deal with creditors who need proof of the crime. If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incidents" report, or try another jurisdiction, like your state police. You also can check with your state Attorney General's office to find out if state law requires the police to take reports for identity theft. Check the Blue Pages of your telephone directory for the phone number or check http://www.naag.org/ for a list of state Attorneys General.

4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop them. The FTC can refer victims' complaints to other government agencies and companies for further action, as well as investigate companies for violations of laws the agency enforces.
You can file a complaint online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. If you don't have Internet access, call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653- 4261; or write: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.

Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems."

For further details click on the link for the Federal Trade Commission near the top of this story.

-Bill Burniece