As a result
of identity theft, your credit report is likely
to contain negative information about your bill-payment
history, and your credit score has probably been
lowered considerably, making it difficult if not
impossible to obtain new credit yourself.
This guide provides victims
of identity theft with instructions on how to regain
your financial health and who to contact for more help.
You must act quickly and assertively to minimize the
damage.
1. Notify credit
bureaus. Immediately report the situation
to the fraud units of the three credit reporting
companies -- Experian (formerly TRW), Equifax, and
TransUnion. When you notify one bureau that you are
a victim of identity theft, it will notify the other
two for you.
Report that your identifying information
is being used by another person to obtain credit
fraudulently in your name. Ask that your file be
flagged with a fraud alert and that creditors call
you before extending credit. Consider using your
cell phone number if you have a mobile telephone.
Equifax: P.O.
Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0250.
Report fraud: Call
(800) 525-6285 and write to address
above.
TDD: (800) 255-0056
Web: www.equifax.com |
Experian: P.O.
Box 9556 Allen, TX 75013- 9556.
Report fraud: Call
(888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) and
write to address above.
TDD: Use relay to fraud number above.
Web: www.experian.com |
TransUnion: P.O.
Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790.
Report fraud: (800)
680-7289 and write to address above.
TDD: (877) 553-7803
E-mail (fraud victims only): fvad@transunion.com
Web: www.transunion.com |
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