My identity stolen

Anonymous · Sub: #1 **My identity stolen** Replied on 02-21-2008, 04:13 AM

O Heavens! I found that my master card has been stolen from my purse when I had gone to a party. Someone took out $500 from it

. I found it out when I saw the billing statement. What shall I do now? What shall I do to get out of this whole thing? I am planning to close the account. What else should I do?

Any help appreciated

socksfullofrocks · Sub: #2 Replied on 02-21-2008, 07:16 PM

Hi xyz
first of all have you called your credit card company? They all have fraud departments to handle these things..they will send you forms to file dispute and should temporarily credit you until they investigate the charges..
are you sure that was only thing stolen? You should probably monitor your credit reports ..you can place fraud alerts with credit reporting agencies as well..if you foresee problems there..
also the ftc has a nice package of information you can request with tips on identity theft and fraud that you can request on their sight.
I am sure there are many experts here who can offer much more concise advice..just responding with things I have personally done regarding i.d. theft in past
once again....

I am sure someone will be along soon to really help you out!

Jason · Sub: #3 Replied on 02-22-2008, 03:19 AM

You must take the given below steps as soon as possible

Quote:

Step 1: Place a fraud alert on your credit files and monitor your credit reports regularly.

Contact any of the three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report, also provide the bureau a â€˜victimâ€˜s statementâ€™ asking the creditors to notify you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. This can help prevent an identity crook from opening any new accounts in your name.

To set up a fraud alert you can contact one of the three bureaus and ask them to flag your credit report for fraud. Usually the call is directed to an automated voice response system.

Though the bureau you call is required to share the fraud alert data with the other two, but there have been incidents that show this process does not work so properly. Hence, your best option is to contact each bureau individually to place a fraud alert. Given below are the toll free numbers of the fraud department of the credit bureaus:

Equifax : 1-800-525-6285; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian : 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion : 1-800-680-7289; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Once you activate a fraud alert, each of the bureaus will send you a current copy of your credit report by mail. You will be also opted out of pre approved credit card and insurance offers. The reports should arrive in one to two weeks. Once you receive your credit reports, review them carefully.

Step 2: Close the accounts that you know, or believe, are not opened by you or have been tampered.

Close all accounts that have been opened or used fraudulently by the identity thief. Request the creditors to report the closed accounts as "account closed at consumer's request," because a simple â€œclosed accountâ€ can reflect poorly on your credit report. You must call and speak with the creditors for the accounts that have been opened fraudulently or are fiddled.

Ask each creditor to send you the copies of the transaction records that the identity thief made from your account. The creditors must provide you and your investigating law enforcement agency the requested paperwork and they cannot even impose a charge on offering you the service.

If they do not respond to your request then you must follow up in writing. You might find it hard to get the documents from the creditors, but don't give up. Send your letters by certified mail via RRR so that you can keep document everything that the creditor received and when. Maintain a record of your correspondence and enclosures.

Step 3: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) .

You can lodge a complaint with the FTC by using the online complaint form; or else you can also call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877- 438-4338; TTY: 1-866-653-4261. You can also notify FTC in writing by sending a letter to Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. If you have to update your complaint, in case you had forgotten to provide some information or have any other additional information then you can call the FTC Identity Theft Hotline.

Step 4: Contact your local police or the police in that community where the identity theft took place and lodge a complaint.

Notify your local police department about the crime. You must provide as much proof as you can, it is advisable to give the police department a printed copy of your FTC ID Theft Complaint form, your cover letter, and all other paperwork that support your claims.

Make sure the police report includes all the accounts that have been affected. Get a copy of the report (the police report with your ID Theft Complaint attached) and send it to all the creditors of the affected accounts as a proof of the crime. If you can't get a copy from the police department, at least get the number of the report.

Step 5: Change all your account passwords.

In case of loss or theft of ATM or debit card, then do not use your old PIN for your new card. If an account does not have a password, it is advisable that you add one. Avoid selecting obvious passwords.

Anonymous · Sub: #4 Replied on 02-24-2008, 10:22 PM

hello for how many dayz this fraud alert stuff stays on report. I know it is not permanent, then what shld I do next?

good.nelly · Sub: #5 Replied on 02-24-2008, 11:05 PM

Hi mudzone

Yes you have heard it right.....a fraud alert stays on your report for 90 days. You have to reactivate it again when the time runs out.

Take care
Nelly

Anonymous · Sub: #6 Replied on 02-29-2008, 03:47 AM

FRAUD ALERT HAVE EFFECTS ON CREDIT SCORE? MY WALLET STOLEN FROM A DEPARTMENTAL STORE AND I HAVE FRAUD ALERT PUT ON MY REPORT. I WANT TO KNOW THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF PUTTING A FRAUD ALERT, PLEASE HELP.

good.nelly · Sub: #7 Replied on 03-03-2008, 01:18 AM

hi guest

No, putting a fraud alert does not affect anything. You just have to provide paperworks prior to opening up new accounts. And yes you have to wait for few days to open new accounts once you have placed a fraud alert as the creditors will call to confirm your identity. They will check that that it's you who has applied for a new line of credit and not some identity crook.

Take care
Nelly

socksfullofrocks · Sub: #8 Replied on 03-03-2008, 01:37 AM

good info as usual goodnelly!

good.nelly · Sub: #9 Replied on 03-10-2008, 01:19 AM

thanksies socks!!!!!

Anonymous · Sub: #10 Replied on 03-10-2008, 01:26 AM

I have placed a fraud alert on my report.but iam facing problems with it.i receive calls from creditors after speaking to me only they approve my credit.i can not get instant credit.i know it is required for them to call me before offering me any credit but in case of urgency it is no good.wat should i do to remove it?any help?

socksfullofrocks · Sub: #11 Replied on 03-10-2008, 02:50 AM

the fraud alert you placed is why you do not receive instant credit and should not want it if fraud has occurred.... 90 days after you placed the alert unless you re-contact..this alert will be gone..if you placed a fraud alert you should be happy that they are speaking to you and verifying information before approving credit..however....
a few years ago after a fraud alert was placed on all employee payroll and social security numbers after someone had stolen a company vehicle with payroll briefcase ....
I applied for a credit card (for an instant discount of 15%)..it was then denied and I was very extremely embarrassed..and I then whipped out the money and paid cash..and felt like a spanked puppy kicked to the curb)....then afterwards I got letter and new card from store approx 2 weeks later with a $2,500 limit.... I did a considerable amount of Christmas shopping with this company last year and am actually now thankful that they responded to alert and did not offer immediate credit approval!

good.nelly · Sub: #12 Replied on 03-10-2008, 04:42 AM

hi ritzy

If it is an initial alert then it will automatically drop off once the alert time has expired.

In case you want to remove it off from your report earlier then you have to request in writing that you want the fraud alert to be removed from each of the credit reporting agency where you have a fraud alert in place. It usually takes the agency 3 to 5 business days to process your removal request.

Nelly

socksfullofrocks · Sub: #13 Replied on 03-12-2008, 01:00 AM

great info nellie as always!
My point was that when you place a fraud alert you should expect NOT to receive instant credit..your fraud alert is preventing that from happening!

good.nelly · Sub: #14 Replied on 03-14-2008, 03:47 AM

yup instant credit becomes difficult wen u place a fraud alert. Agree with u socks

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