Close the accounts that you know,
or believe, have been tampered with
or opened fraudulently.
Call and speak to someone in the security
or fraud department of each company. Follow up in writing, and include copies
(NOT originals) of supporting documents.
It’s important to notify credit card companies
and banks in writing. Send your letters by
certified mail, return receipt requested, so
you can document what the company received
and when. Keep a file of your correspondence
and enclosures.
When you open new accounts, use new
Personal Identification Numbers (PINs)
and passwords. Avoid using easily available
information like your mother’s maiden
name, your birth date, the last four digits
of your SSN or your phone number,
or a series of consecutive numbers.
If the identity thief has made charges or
debits on your accounts, or on fraudulently
opened accounts, ask the company for the
forms to dispute those transactions.
- For charges and debits on existing
accounts, ask the representative to send
you the company’s fraud dispute forms.
If the company doesn’t have special
forms, write a letter to dispute the
fraudulent charges or debits. In either
case, write to the company at the address
given for “billing inquiries,” NOT the
address for sending your payments.
- For new unauthorized accounts, ask if
the company accepts the ID Theft
Affidavit. If not, ask the representative
to send you the company’s fraud dispute
forms. If the company already has
reported these accounts or debts
on your credit report, dispute this
fraudulent information.
Once you have resolved your identity theft
dispute with the company, ask for a letter
stating that the company has closed the
disputed accounts and has discharged the
fraudulent debts. This letter is your best
proof if errors relating to this account
reappear on your credit report or you are
contacted again about the fraudulent debt.
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