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Restoring your name and credit

The unthinkable has happened: A thief stole your identity, applied for a credit card in your name racked up thousands of dollars in debt. Now what? Minimize the damage by acting quickly and assertively. Beth Givens explains how:

1. Contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies – Experian (888.397.3742); Equifax (800.525.6285); and Trans Union (800.680.7289). Request that your accounts be flagged and add a victim’s statement to your report: “My ID has been used to apply for credit fraudulently. Call me at this number to verify all applications.” Also, find out how long the fraud alert will be posted and how to extend it. Then contact the appropriate financial institutions to report any fraud.
2. Call the police. It’s important to get the fraud on record and to get a copy of the police report. Credit-card companies, banks and insurance companies may require you to produce the report in order to verify the crime. Be persistent – and keep a log of all conversations, including dates, names, phone numbers and information exchanged.
3. Notify the Federal Trade Commission. Under the 1998 Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, the FTC will maintain a database of identity theft and refer complaints to the appropriate authorities.
4. Report the fraud to your credit-card issuers, get replacement cards with new account numbers and ask that old accounts be processed as “account closed at consumer’s request.” Follow up in writing.
5. Notify your bank of the theft. If necessary, cancel your checking and savings accounts; obtain new account numbers. Request a password that must be used in every transaction.
6. Get a new ATM card, account number and password. Don’t use the last four digits of your Social Security number or your birth date as a password.
7. Don’t pay any bill or portion of a bill that results from identity theft. Also, don’t cover any checks that were written or cashed fraudulently. As long as you’ve notified the authorities, your credit rating shouldn’t be permanently affected.