Place a Fraud Alert (from the Federal Trade Commission):
Ask 1 of the 3 credit reporting
companies to put a fraud alert on your credit report. They must tell the other
2 companies. An initial fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to
open more accounts in your name. The alert lasts 90 days but you can renew it.
Three national credit reporting companies keep records of your
credit history. If someone has misused your personal or financial information,
call 1 of the companies and ask for an initial fraud alert on your
credit report. A fraud alert is free. You must provide proof of your identity.
The company you call must tell the other companies about your alert.
An initial fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to
open more accounts in your name. When you have an alert on your report, a
business must verify your identity before it issues credit, so it may try to
contact you. The initial alert stays on your report for at least 90 days. You
can renew it after 90 days.
It allows you to order one free copy of your credit
report from each of the three credit reporting companies. Be sure the credit
reporting companies have your current contact information so they can get in
touch with you.
1 Contact one credit reporting company
1. Report that you are an identity theft victim.
2. Ask the company to put a fraud alert on your credit file.
3.
Confirm that the company you call will
contact the other 2 companies.
Placing a fraud alert is free. The initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for 90 days.
Be sure the credit reporting companies have your current contact
information so they can get in touch with you.
2.
Update your files:
The credit reporting company will explain that you can get a free credit report, and other rights you have.
The credit reporting company will explain that you can get a free credit report, and other rights you have.
3.
Mark your calendar:
The initial fraud alert stays on your report for 90 days. You can renew it after 90 days.
The initial fraud alert stays on your report for 90 days. You can renew it after 90 days.
4.
Update your files:
1. Record the dates you made calls or sent letters.
2.
Keep copies of letters in your files.
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
1-800-680-7289
Experian
1-888-397-3742
1-888-397-3742
Equifax
1-888-766-0008
1-888-766-0008
Tagged with: credit
report, fraud
alert, identity theft
The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the nation’s consumer protection
agency. The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business
practices in the marketplace.
Good information. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAny fraud I had on my credit cards was because millions of cards were hacked from the issuing bank. So far, 3 times. The issuing banks took care of it immediately by giving me new cards and making me whole again with no hassle.