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Despite you best efforts to protect yourself, you have become a victim. Now what? The following steps should be taken immediately and at the same time to best insure your protection.

In the process of resolving the theft of your identity, be sure to keep records of all correspondence with the creditors and government agencies you contact. Include the date and the name of the person contacted. Follow up all telephone contacts with a letter and keep a copy.

Notify all creditors and financial institutions in writing and by telephone that your name and accounts have been used without your permission. If an existing account has been stolen, ask the creditor or bank to issue you new cards, checks and account numbers. Carefully monitor your account activity on your statements. Report fraudulent activity to the issuing company immediately. The Fair Credit Billing (FCBA) is a federal law that limits a consumer’s responsibility for fraudulent charges to no more than $50.00.

Immediately report the crime to the local police. Provide them with as much documentation as possible. Make sure that the accounts are listed on the police report. Also, get a copy of the police report. Credit card companies, banks and credit reporting agencies may require you to show a police report to support your claim that a crime was committed.

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (TFC) www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm The FTC collects complaints about identity theft from consumers and stores them in a secure online database called: Consumer Sentinel www.consumer.gov/sentinel/idtchart.htm that is available to law enforcement agencies world-wide. The FTC provides the information on ways to resolve problems resulting from identity theft and refers individuals to various private and government agencies for further action. At the FTC site, click on file a complaint online." Then down the page and click on "Identity Theft Complaint Form."

Contact the fraud units of the (3) three credit reporting agencies: EQUIFAX, EXPERIAN and TRANS UNION. Ask them to place a fraud alert on you credit report to help prevent new fraudulent accounts from being opened. Keep track of when it expires so you can ask for another one if necessary. However, not all creditors check your credit report before issuing a new account. As a ID fraud victim, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. Also ask the agencies for a copy of your credit report every three (3) months once you have become a victim. This can help determine how many and which accounts are fraudulent. You can also identify the existing accounts that have been stolen.

EQUIFAX 1-800-686-1111 www.equifax.com

EXPERIAN 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com

TRANS UNION 1-800-916-8800 www.transunion.com

United States Postal Service (USPIS) www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect

Social Security Administration (SSA) www.ssa.gov

Call For Action, INC. www.callforaction.org

MOST ONLINE SITES HAVE THE OPTION OF "EN ESPANOL"

Also see IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO HELP SAFEGUARD YOU IDENTITY

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