What to Do When Made Victim of Identity Theft?

Don’t Panic!

Well, this may look like a message engraved on the cover of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, the legendary book written by British writer Douglas Adams, but this is precisely the reaction you should have when confronted with identity theft. There are government agencies and federal as well as state laws to help you out. Even financial institutions will be a party in helping you in fixing the problem caused by identity theft.

So…don’t panic!

Recovery Steps

Step 1: Call banks and creditors

The sooner you become aware of the identity theft, the quicker you should inform your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions and creditors. Tell them the story and ask to suspend any transaction, and also close any account opened fraudulently. You may require signing an affidavit. Do not get alarmed or offended. This is an important step to safeguard the interest of an honest person like you by keeping conman out of taking the law for a ride.

Step 2: Report the crime

Now it’s time to report the crime. File a case with local police. This will help you in getting things done faster, and even some financial institutions need such complains to be filed before they act.

Step 3: Fraud Alert

You should contact any of the three consumer reporting companies listed below and place a fraud alert as soon as you suspect identify theft, or you lose your financial data.

Equifax

(800) 525-6285

www.equifax.com

P.O. Box 740241

Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian

(888) 397-3742

www.experian.com

P.O. Box 9532

Allen, TX 75013

Transunion

(800) 680-7289

www.transunion.com

Fraud Victim Assistance Division,

P.O. Box 6790

Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Step 4: Check bank accounts

Verify if all the details are intact in the bank accounts and has not been tempered with. If you find any anomaly or misuse then contact your bank and file a complaint asking for the remedy.

Step 5: Social security number

If you think your Social Security Number (SSN) has been used to get a loan or get a job or whatever, call Social Security Administration hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Call (800) 772-1213 and ask for a copy of your Social Security Statement. This will help you verify the earnings reported on your SSN.

Step 6: Driving license

Your name and Social Security Number may have been used to acquire a driving license or a non-driver’s ID. Contact Department of Motor Vehicles and file a request for the verification.

Step 7: mails

Stealing address by identity thieves to misuse it is not unheard of. Visit the website of the U.S. Postal inspection service or call your local post office for the number of postal inspection service office. Call them and report your identity theft, and ask them about address verification.

Follow these steps and minimize the damage done by an identity thief. And don’t panic!