The best magazine
If this has happened to you and you're not sure about what to do about reporting the fraud and re-establishing your credit ratings this article will help you with the process.
Call Your Credit Card Company Call your card issuer as soon as you suspect fraudulent activity.
Give them your name and account information.
From this point in time you are not responsible for additional charges on the card.
Cancel your credit cards and request replacement cards with new account numbers (even if you recover the cards later).
It is very important that you cancel them with the status "Account closed at customer's request.
" Request secure passwords for all your accounts.
Follow up with a letter delivered by registered post and outlining the information provided to the credit card company.
This letter should be addressed to "billing inquiries" and the fraud department.
When they send you a form known as a fraud affidavit, fill it out and return it immediately.
Ask them to send the credit reporting agencies a letter confirming the fraudulent activity.
Keep a written note of the date, time and name of everyone you talk to about the issue, and keep copies of all correspondence.
Monitor your mail and bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity and report it immediately.
Contact the major credit reporting bureaus Report the fraud to the fraud department of the major credit reporting companies.
Request your credit profile from the credit bureau.
Place a 90 day fraud alert.
Provide your cell phone number as a contact number.
When the credit bureaus mail you notice of your rights as an identity theft victim extend the fraud alert to seven years.
Scrutinize your credit reports and instruct the credit bureaus, in writing, to remove all inquiries that were generated due to the fraudulent activity.
Contact the local police department File a report providing as much detailed and documented information that you have at your disposal.
Contact the local Postal Inspector Notify the local Postal Inspector if you suspect an unauthorized change of your address with the post office or if the mail has been used to commit fraud.
Instruct the local Postmaster to forward all mail in your name to your own address.
In General Keep a written record of all conversations, including dates, names, and phone numbers.
Record the time you spent and any expenses you may incur.
Confirm all conversations in writing.
Send correspondence using registered mail with return receipt requested.
Keep copies of all letters and documents.
Do not pay any account that is a result of fraud.
Do not file for bankruptcy.
If any credit granter attempts to collect any amount from you that was incurred by the fraudster do not be persuaded to pay these fraudulent bills.
Report any attempts of this nature to government regulators immediately.
Should you find yourself the victim of credit card fraud or identity theft, these guidelines will assist in resolving the matter in the shortest possible time.
Stay alert, exercise common sense and good judgement and don't give criminals a chance to hurt you and your loved ones.
Source: ...