What can you do as an Identity Theft Victim

Even the most careful individual may one day find themselves an identity theft victim. This is because some thieves are very sophisticated and can obtain records from your employer, manipulating people, or using their position in a business to obtain information for their own use. It is very important that you report any incident of identity theft immediately so that steps can be taken to resolve the matter.

Make sure you keep very detailed records of who you talk to in regards to your accounts. You also need to place a fraud alert on your credit reports. This will prevent anyone from accessing credit in your name because all requests have to be verified with you. You will also be allowed to obtain a free credit report to take a look at. Do all you can to prevent becoming an identity theft victim.

Close Accounts That Are Affected

If you do become a victim of identity theft, make sure you close all accounts that could be in jeopardy. You will need to call each one directly and take with someone in the security or fraud department. You will also need to send them a letter, but make sure you keep a copy for your own records as well. These agencies to contact include banks, credit card companies, and any others you do business with.

In most cases you will be asked to provide some documentation to verify you are an identity theft victim. You can prove the signature on any applications does not belong to you. Provide a copy of the police report you filed as well. It is a good idea to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission too. Your information can help them with investigating those responsible for the theft. They can also refer you to various agencies to assist you with investigating your situation.

In The News...

News-Democrat - A day after a stolen identity scheme was publicly announced, the governors and attorney generals offices exchanged blame about an attempt to arrest a former state employee at a state office. A federal indictment handed down May 31 - but not ...

Forbes - A federal indictment accuses seven people - including two former state employees - of using the identities of nursing-home residents and others in a scheme to help prison inmates make phone calls. The seven are accused of using Social Security ...

Forbes - ID Tool ToGo Combines Convenience with Multifactor Authentication Superior to Tokens, Smartcards and Biometrics LOS GATOS, Calif., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- TriCipher, the leading provider of multifactor authentication solutions that protect online ...

Patriot Ledger - District Court in Boston charged Johnson with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. It specified that the offenses occurred in Plymouth County and elsewhere in the state. Some of the counterfeit checks were cashed in Stop Shop supermarkets ...

Ledger - KISSIMMEE - Good Samaritan Village has kicked off its inaugural series of education programs for seniors with a seminar on identity theft and fraud - two crimes that often target the elderly. Older people are very trusting, Carlos Morales, guest ...