Simple steps to protect yourself from identity theft.
Submitted by Eric on Mon, 2006-12-11 15:05.Here are a few steps that you may follow if you feel that you have been a victim of, or wish to prevent identity theft.
The first step is to cancel and have reissued any credit cards you feel may have been compromised. Call your credit card company and ask them to reissue your card. This will take about a week from the time you initiate the process. This is an important first step to prevent any immediate or future losses through lost credit card numbers.
The next step is to review your credit report. Please remember that this is your report. The report of your spouse should also be reviewed. You should make a practice of reviewing your report every year. Look at all of the accounts you have opened in your name. Look for any unusual activity and follow up on any accounts that you do not recognize. You have the right to review your credit report for free once every year. The link below will allow you to review your credit report online. Follow the instruction on the web site to visit each of the three major credit reporting agencies.
https://www.annualcreditreport.com
The last step is a preventive measure. Placing a fraud alert on your credit report will keep your information safe. By calling one of the numbers below and having a fraud alert placed on your credit report will make it more difficult for criminals to steal your identity. Once the fraud alert is placed on your credit report you will no longer be able to easily get instant credit at retailers. Creditors will have to reach you at your home phone number before credit will be issued in your name. This can be comforting and inconvenient at the same time.
How do I request a "fraud alert" be placed on my file?
You have the right to ask that nationwide consumer credit reporting companies place "fraud alerts" in your file to let potential creditors and others know that you may be a victim of identity theft. A fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you. It also may delay your ability to obtain credit. You may place a fraud alert in your file by calling just one of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies. As soon as that agency processes your fraud alert, it will notify the other two, which then also must place fraud alerts in your file.
Equifax: 1-877-576-5734; www.equifax.com
Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com/fraud
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com
An initial fraud alert stays in your file for at least 90 days. An extended alert stays in your file for seven years. To place either of these alerts, a consumer credit reporting company will require you to provide appropriate proof of your identity, which may include your Social Security number. If you ask for an extended alert, you will have to provide an identity theft report. An identity theft report includes a copy of a report you have filed with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency. For more detailed information about the identity theft report, visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
I hope this guide help you to further protect your identity. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.