Identity Theft - What to do when your Identity has been stolen?

Step 1: Protect your finances

Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus:

• Equifax
  1-800-525-6285
  www.equifax.com
• Experian
  1-888-397-3742
  www.experian.com
• TransUnion
  1-800-680-7289
  www.tuc.com

Get a copy of your credit report, which is free to ID theft victims. Ask that your file be flagged with a "fraud alert tag" and a "victim's statement." That will limit the thief's ability to open new credit accounts, as new creditors will call you before granting credit, generally. Insist, in writing, that the fraud alert remain in place for seven years, the maximum, according to PrivacyRights.org.

Step 2: File a police report

You will need a police report to dispute unauthorized charges and for any insurance claims. Be persistent; your local police department may suggest that this isn't necessary, because they don't want the paperwork hassle. Also, fill out an online ID Theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-ID-THEFT.

That enters your case in the FTC's "Consumer Sentinel" database, a nationwide list of ID theft cases which can be used by law enforcement officers to find patterns and catch criminals.

Step 3: Close all compromised accounts

The list may be wider than you realize. This includes accounts with banks, credit card companies and other lenders, and phone companies, utilities, ISPs, and other service providers. Dispute all unauthorized charges - The FTC offers a sample dispute letter on its Web site. Disputes may require a sworn statement and a police report. The FTC also offers a form affidavit which can be used for the sworn statement at

www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf

Other Useful Sources of Information regarding Identity Theft

• "When bad things happen to your good name" - FTC document full of sample dispute letters and other recovery procedures
  www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm
• U.S. Department of Justice ID Theft kit
  www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
• Identity Theft Resource Center
  www.idtheftcenter.org

Top Frauds, scams & mishaps
1). Internet Auctions (16%)
2). Shop-at-home/Catalog Sales (8%)
3). Internet Services & Computer Complaints (6%)
4). Foreign Money Offers (6%)
5). Prizes, Sweepstakes & Lotteries (5%)
6). Advance-fee loans & Credit Protection (3%)
7). Business opportunities & Work-at-home plans (2%)
8). Telephone Services (2%)