Identity Theft: Victim’s Quick Check List
by “What do I do now”? My wallet or purse has just been lost or stolen with all my credit cards, Social Security Card and identification in it. Follow the victim’s quick check list to assist you on what to do next if you’ve lost or had your accounts, identification and personal information stolen.
Safety tips to help educate and protect you against identity theft.
If you’ve just had your wallet/ purse stolen or lost with all your identification, driver’s license, social security card and credit cards inside or if you’ve ever been a victim of identity theft then you know all too well the frustration, fear and confusion it can cause.
I’ve been a Police Officer for over 28 years and have handled countless Identity theft cases. Identity theft is rapidly on the rise and the new wave of crime. Suspects don’t have to get close to their victims and often times the victim has no idea they are a victim of ID theft until the damage has already been done.
To help you get started I’ve provided a “Victim’s Quick Check List”.
Step one
Contact all three credit bureaus and put a security alert on your credit. By doing this you will prevent any further damage from being done to your credit. Ask to be notified immediately if any new credit is being opened.
1) Trans Union – www.TransUnion.com – 1-800-680-7289
2) Experian- www.Experian.com – 1-888-397-3742
3) Equifax – www.Equifax.com – 1-800-525-6285
Step two
Call your Bank or credit card company(s) and let them know you have lost or had your credit cards stolen and close the cards. The bank will issue you new cards with new credit card numbers. Have the Bank or card company(s) put an alert of your account to watch for any suspicious activity.
Ask the bank to send you an “Affidavit of fraud” or download an affidavit from the Federal Trade Commission; http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/affidavit.pdf
(source: www.ftc.gov)
Step three
File a Police report immediately for “lost or stolen” wallet/purse listing all the cards, identification etc. You will need to file the report with the area Police Department where you lost or had your wallet/purse stolen.
Liked it
