Jun 20 2009
Stop Identity Theft
Identity theft is rapidly on the rise and considered the fastest growing crime in America. Unfortunately, it’s a crime that most people will face at some point in their lives. Sadly, according to the FTC, it’s not uncommon to find out that a family member or friend was the culprit.
Take Action
At the very first sign of identity theft, go directly to the source as soon as you spot something wrong (e.g., credit card company or business). And, be sure to report the crime to each of the three major credit bureaus as well.
- Experian, P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013, (888-397-3742)
- Equifax, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374, (800-525-6285)
- TransUnion, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834, (800-680-7289)
You should also file a police report, which many creditors require, and include it with your dispute letter. Then if it happens again, it’ll be a lot easier to clear up.
Be Proactive
Be alert for signs of identity theft and check your credit reports, periodically. Look for signs of new accounts opened in your name, address changes and inquiries. You may want to consider signing up for a credit monitoring service, which will instantly notify you of changes to your credit report.
