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Identity TheftWhat to Do if It Happens to You? |
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What to Do if Identity Happens to You? |
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You apply for a credit card and get turned down because of a low credit score. Yet you know that you’ve always paid your accounts on time.
A debt collector calls to demand payment on a six-month overdue account for a credit card you have never had. You receive a credit card in the mail that you’ve never applied for. What’s happening?
You could be a victim of identity theft, where an imposter is using your personal information to obtain credit. Then when the thief does not pay the bills, the company itself or a debt collection company contacts you to demand payment.
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. |
Credit Care Sections |
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 |
