CREDIT BUREAU OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS

File Police Report:

a. Very important to establish time of discovery & action on your part.
b. Always submit relevant documents relating to the case. Copies only
c. Itemize all creditors affected & properly identify them. name / account number / amount...
d. Obtain copy of the police report; if not then the file number.
e. Be persistent, local authorities may tell you they can't take a report. If that does not work suggest going to county or state police. If you're told that identity theft is not a crime under your state law, ask to file a Miscellaneous Incident Report instead.
f. If you don't have everything at that time needing to be added - that is ok, you can follow up later with additional information just be sure to obtain an updated police report at that time.

Contact Credit Reporting Agencies to activate Fraud Alert

Experian -
888-397-3742
PO Box 9532
Allen Tx, 75013

Equifax -
800-525-6285
PO Box 740241
Atlanta Ga, 30374-0241

TransUnion -
800-680-7289
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
PO Box 6790
Fullerton Ca, 92634-6790

a. When calling one credit reporting agency should activate the other 2 automatically. This is only in affect for 3 months for you to review and get disputes in order.
b. You will have a free credit report mailed out to you.
c. It will automatically opt you out from receiving junk mail cause by the credit reporting agencies selling name & addresses to creditors.

Here is further information for opting out:

Opt-Out: 1-888-567-8688

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
Removal ???????? Mailing Lists
PO Box 9008
Farmingdale NY 11735

Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
Removal ???????? Telemarketing Lists
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale NY 11735

Do Not Call Registery Site:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcam...all/index.html

Even if you exercise all of these options for opting-out, you may continue to receive solicitations from local merchants, religious and charitable associations, professional and alumni associations, politicians and companies with whom you conduct business. To eliminate mail from these groups- as well as mail addressed to ???????occupant??????? or ???????resident??????? ???????? write directly to each source.

To explain better about opt-out: All three credit reporting agencies on a regular basis will sale mailing lists to creditors for the purpose of soliciting various products this is how you get the pre-screened credit card offers in the mail. This is not good if you happen to move around and will result in id theft on occasion. When moving people will put in request at post office for change of address; but this forwarding, will only last one year. If there are creditors out there they mail circulation after this point ???????? you will not know about it until to late.

Recommend that should you plan to move, at least six months prior establish a PO Box with the local post office. Forward all mail to the post office address, then wait and see which creditors slip by sending directly to the physical address. Write these creditors with the correct address. This will help catch some of them out there, and opting out hopefully will catch the rest of them.

Finally when you do opt out include all prior addresses and names ever used... can't be careful enough on this matter.

Note: Fraud alert is not a guarantee that creditors will be alerted to protect your information, or stop further fraud activity. This is a purchased product on their side - not many pay to know the fact of the matter that you have been a victim of fraud.

Recommended: To further protect yourself by writing in request for Victim Statement to be added to your credit report. Must include a copy of your phone bill - section which shows your name, address, and phone number. They will add a statement like this one: Please verify identify prior to extending credit, victim of id theft, please call ... (they will add your phone number to the credit report). This can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years, unless you write in to cancel prior to that. This will be added into the remarks section on your credit reports / creditors don't have to pay additional to see this.. if they look they will know that you want them to call prior to extending credit and should do so to further protect you!

This of course does not protect you further from other types of companies - which in the course of business don't review credit reports.

Additional items of important to do:

a. Call the Federal Trade Commission - 877-438-4338 or visit their web site: www.ftc.gov to report your fraud case.
b. Also request their booklet called: When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name.
c. This book contains an ID Theft Affidavit in the back which you should use.
d. Be sure to read through this book, just to make sure to problem solve if there are any other organizations which may be relevant for you to contact.

Review your Credit Report:

a. Make note of all creditors affected by the fraudulent activity.
b. Write back dispute; noting who these creditors are and exactly why you are disputing and what you want done in the matter.
c. Forward copy of police report
d. Forward copy of id theft affidavit

Contacting Creditors / Collection Agencies:

a. Contact immediately as soon as you know they have been affected by the fraud.
b. Inform them immediately to close account. Change pin number / password protect and tell them you don't want them sharing your information with anyone unless it is law enforcement opt-out and include their affiliates.
b. Ask for their address specifically for their: Fraud Department.
c. By writing send in your dispute, copy of police report (or file number with contact information to the exact police department involved in the case); and a copy of your id theft affidavit.
d. Some creditors will require further steps be taken, including their own id theft affidavit. Be sure to complete and follow up with what they ask or provide.
e. Be sure to follow up all leads provided in this matter, ask questions, and research the matter if you know something to be important... finding the person responsible is just as important.