How To Lessen The Damage Of Identity Theft In Your Credit Report

Each year, thousands of people are victimized by identity  theft.  Anyone who owns a credit card,  debit card, an ATM card or a bank account is not completely safe from the  threat of identity theft.  People who  steal personal information such as your credit card number, Social Security  number, or bank account numbers can commit fraud in your name.  You may not be aware of it but identity  thieves may already be using your personal information against you.

What can you do to  protect yourself from ID theft?

Check your credit.  One way to fight ID theft and fraud is to  protect your credit report.  This is why  financial experts advise checking your credit report at least twice a  year.  Look for any signs of fraud,  unauthorized charges, or errors in your report and notify your creditors and  the credit bureaus right away.

  Make photocopies of  your important documents.  File a  photocopy of your credit cards, ATM cards, department store cards, company id,  driver’s license, Social Security ID, etc.   Keep these copies in a safe place.   In case of ID theft or loss, having these references would give you an  easier time repairing your credit.

  Acquire ID theft  protection.  Services like credit  report freeze and fraud alert can give you added protection with your  accounts.  Obtaining a credit report  freeze is free but if you want to “lift” the freeze, you would be required to  pay between $10-$12 for each bureau.  On  the other hand, a fraud alert is free but is only available for victims of ID  theft.

  Use ATM machines with  caution.  When using ATM machines,  make sure that no one is standing too close behind you or anywhere near  you.  DO not throw your ATM receipts in  the trash bin as identity thieves may also use them to get the details of your  account.

  Do not disclose your  personal information to anyone.   Always be aware about the use of your personal information.  Do not give out your personal details especially  if you receive a phone call from someone who claims to be a representative of  your bank or lending company.  Do not  reply to emails that require you to send in your personal information. 

Acting AGAINST ID  Theft

What if you discovered that you have been a victim of  identity theft?  What can you do about it?  Here are the important steps you should do to  repair your credit report:

Notify your creditor.  Call your bank or creditor and inform them  about the fraudulent charges in your account.   You should also request for a change of your account numbers immediately.

Notify the credit  bureaus.  BE sure to contact the  three major credit reporting agencies to alert them about it.  Below, you can find the appropriate contact  numbers of each bureau.  Remember that  the major bureaus operate independently so you should get in touch with all  three.  Your credit report should be put  in fraud alert to avoid identity thieves from further committing crime fraud  against you.

  Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

  Experian: 1-888-397-3742 

  Trans Union: 1-800-680 7289

  File a record of complaint. If you have been a victim of ID theft, you should also file a complaint to your  State Attorney Generals’ Office.

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