foodconsumer.org: Identity Theft: Get to know how to protect yourself

Identity Theft: Get to know how to protect yourself
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admin on 08/30/2009 12:10:00
 
By David Liu - davidl (at) foodconsumer.org
Ben Bernanke's wife had her handbag stolen on Aug 27 at a Starbucks in
Washington DC, CNNmoney.com reported on Aug 28. There were checkbooks, driver's
license, credit cards and some small amount of cash in her bag.
The thieves actually wrote checks on the Bernanke account and the loss of Ms.
Bernanke's bag became an issue of identity theft.
Identity theft is a crime.  It victimized Ben Bernake, Chairman of the Board of
Governors of the United States Federal Reserve, it may victimize you as well.
You should take steps immediately to protect their financial interest if you are
a potential victim of the crime.
The following tips are given by the Fderal Trade Commission to help you protect
yourself.
First, you need to place a fraud alert on your credit reports and then
periodically review your credit reports.  Contact one of the three credit
reporting companies listed below to pace the alert.
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance
Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA
30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX
75013
Once you file the fraud alert, you are entitled to order one free copy of your
credit report from each of the three companies. You should also review your
credit reports periodically for at least a year.  If you spot any fraudulent
activities, report the credit companies.
Second, you need to close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been
tampered with or opened by thieves.  Call and speak with a representative in the
security or fraud department of each credit reporting company.  And follow up in
writing and include copies of supporting documents.
If the identity thief has made charges or debits on your accounts, or has
fraudulently opened accounts, ask the company for the forms you may use to
dispute those transactions.
Third, you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online or
call the agency's Identity Theft Hotline at -877-ID-THEFT or write Identity
Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Washington DC 20580.   Sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC can
help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and
stop them from further victimizing you and others.
By filing the complaint to FTC, you are entitled to certain protections. These
include blocking fraudulent information from appearing on your credit report;
ensuring that debts do not reappear on your credit report; preventing a company
from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft and placing an
extended fraud alert on your credit report.
Fourth, you should file a report with your local police.   If the police are
reluctant to take your report, try your state Attorney General's Office for
help.