If you suspect that your identity has been stolen, regardless of what tipped you off, report, document in detailed files and make changes. You may be spending months or years getting back your identity and your good credit. Be proactive. Do not allow yourself to be defeated. You have worked hard to attain your assets. Go to bat for them.
Report
1. To police in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred
2. To all creditors and businesses with whom you do business
3. To the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)on the online form
4. To all three credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and file fraud alerts
5. To your bank and change all account numbers and debit cards
6. To the Social Security Administration even if your card was not stolen
7. To the U.S. State Department or consulate if your passport has been stolen
Document
1. Conversations you have with collection agencies with whom you have spoken
2. The FTC Identity Theft Report you have filed
3. Regular credit reports from alerts you have placed on them
4. Police reports if you can actually get them
5. All your bills for the last six months
6. Every conversation and report and contact you have made about the theft
7. All promises you have received in writing from any agency involved-"get it in writing"
Change
1. Bank accounts and credit cards and debit cards and account numbers
2. All you passwords and make each one different
3. Your security information from mother's maiden name to something hard to steal
4. Your Personal Identification Numbers (PIN)
5. Use of your personal information by opting out with each business with whom you deal
6. How your mail is delivered by investing in a vandal proof steel locking mailbox
7. Research online for a locking mailbox that is ¼ in thick steel and has a lock only you can open.
Sadly, you must accept that you will have to monitor your personal and business affairs very closely for the rest of your life. Once a thief has been able to profit from stealing your identity, he will seek more information about you. He may even sell your information to another criminal. Even when you notify everyone you can about the theft, an identity thief can open new accounts, rent a home or purchase a vehicle using your identity.
So, if you see charges you didn't authorize, your credit card is denied, your bank statements are incorrect or your bills cease to arrive as usual, Report, Document and Change as is stated above.
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