Seven Steps to Identity Theft Recovery
Whether you just suspect you are a victim of identity theft or you have found proof within your credit reports, it is important as a consumer to understand your rights and what you must do in order to recover from identity theft. If for any reason you suspect you may have fallen victim to identity theft, you must immediately:
Step One – Check Credit Reports
A consumer needs to get a copy of all three credit reports if they suspect they have fallen victim to identity theft. After all, if they have fallen victim to it, there will be proof on the report itself. A consumer can contact the Fraud Department of each credit reporting bureau and they will automatically receive a free copy of their credit report in the US Mail.
Step Two – Fraud Alerts
The second a consumer assumes they are a victim of identity theft, they must place a fraud alert on their credit profile. There are many states throughout the United States that will also let a consumer apply to put a complete credit freeze on their credit reports.
Step Three – Research
It is a consumer’s responsibility to contact each creditor that they think they have fallen victim to identity theft with. Contact their security or fraud department directly and explain to them the situation and why you believe they have fraudulent accounts. You may need to have them close out the accounts immediately to cease anymore fraudulent activity on them. In order to make the process easier on the consumer, the Federal Trade Commission has an Identity Theft Affidavit that can be completed online and then given to creditors.
Step Four – Contact the Police
It is also the consumer’s responsibility to file a police report in the city in which their identity was stolen. If for some reason a consumer believes their identity theft occurred in another state, their local police department can help them contact the correct authorities. It is important to keep copies of the police reports and give them to creditors and other agencies involved in the identity theft.
Step Five – Document It All
Though a consumer speaks to many agencies and individuals, they need to get everything documented in the event they have to take creditors to court. Always ask for a name, department, phone extensions and even record telephone conversations. Keep notes neat and organized. In the event the identity thief is caught, often the courts will reward contributions to the victims for time lost while recovering from identity theft.
Step Six – Speak to Government Agencies
Government agencies are there for a reason – to help the general public. In the event a consumer has fallen victim to identity theft they should contact:
The Federal Trade Commission – 1-877-ID-THEFT
The Postal Service – Contact your local post office if you assume the identity theft occurred through the US Mail.
The Social Security Administration – In the event a consumer’s social security number is used they will need to notify the SSA immediate on their website at www.ssa.gov
The Internal Revenue Service – If for any reason a consumer’s information was used from tax documents or used in tax fraud, the consumer will need to contact the IRS for tax violations at 1-800-829-0433.
Step Seven – Check Verification Firms
If the consumer suspects that their identity was used for check fraud, they will need to contact the major check verification companies to ensure they enter these fraudulent checks into their system as “frauds” from identity theft and not on the consumers own accord. The major check verification firms are:
- Check Rite
- ChexSystems
- CrossCheck
- Equifax – TeleCheck
- NPC
- SCAN
- Tele-Check