I just heard about someone who had there identity stolen and their credit card was used. There are many things you should do to protect yourself. Here is just some information that may help for prevention and also if it happens to you......
Some steps to take to be proactive and protect against ID Theft:
1) Set a fraud alert with the credit bureaus/credit reporting agencies. Usually if you file with one agency, they will notify the others. This is usually automated and set within the hour of your request. You can do this by calling the Equifax Fraud Division at 1-888-766-0008, or by writing to:
Equifax Consumer Fraud Division
P.O. box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
Be advised that by setting a fraud alert you most likely will not be able to get instant credit.
For more information, go to http://www.equifax.com/cs/Satellite/EFX_Content_C1/1165203975795/5-1/5-1_Layout.htm?packedargs=Locale%3Den_US.
The fraud alert lasts 90 days, so I suggest redoing every 90 days. You can put an alert/alarm on your computer, write it in your day planner, or on your calendar to remind you.
2) Order your credit report at least once per year to review it. You can order online for free (without the score) once per year at www.annualcreditreport.com. For even closer monitoring you can order from one credit bureau/reporting agency every four months (i.e. Equifax first, then four months later order from TransUnion, then four months later order from Experian). Just as with the fraud alerts, you can put an alert/alarm on your computer, write it in your day planner, or on your calendar to remind you.
3) Request your name be removed from pre-approved credit card and junk mail lists. The credit bureaus are one of the biggest offender when it comes to selling your name and information to the credit card companies who in turn send you all those pre-approved applications. Statistics also show this is one of the most common ways that thieves hijack identities. Plus, all that junk mail can be irritating.
Call this one number to opt out of all three bureaus: 1-888-567-8688, or you can do it online at this website: www.optoutprescreen.com. You are given the choice of opting out/removing your name for two years, five years, or permanently, and can renew your request at any time in the future (add your name back on).
To get rid of most other junk mail, write a letter giving your complete name, name variations and mailing address, and send it to:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735
To remove your name from many telephone solicitation lists, send your complete name, address and phone number with area code to:
Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Once you write and send your letter in, you'll remain on the Direct Mailing Association opt-out list for five years. It may take up to three months before you notice a significant reduction in the amount of direct mail and phone calls you receive. Again, I suggest you can put an alert/alarm on your computer, write it in your day planner, or on your calendar to remind you.
A sample letter to the Mail Preference Service is follows. You can just change the address and send the same letter to the Telephone Preference Service.
Date
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmington, NY 11735-9008
To whom it may concern:
Please remove my name (see variations below) from all mailing lists, to stop mailings of catalogs, subscription offers, sweepstakes entries, other national mail, and any and all other mail which may fit the generic description of “junk mail.”
[List all of your name variations, including those misspellings and other names you get junk mail to.]
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
Your name
If this is too much to remember or too much work, you can also pay a company to do this for you, and they have a guarantee that says if your identity is misused while you are their client, they’ll spend up to $1,000,000 to recover your good name and make it right. If you need lawyers, they’ll hire the best they can find. If you need investigators, accountants, case managers, whatever, they’re yours. If you lose money as a result of the theft, they’re going to give it back to you. Up to $1,000,000. The name of the company is LifeLock, and their service costs only $10 per month for an individual. For more information, go to www.lifelock.com.
Another source of good information: www.newdream.org/junkmail.
You can also check out the following sites for more information:
http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Tags: Identity Theft Credit Card Credit Bureau Fraudjunk Mail
