The next steps after your identity has been stolen

The next steps after your identity has been stolen -

Original post written by Assured Neace Lukens and shared with permission.

In our first blog on identity theft, we discussed the first steps you should take after your identity has been stolen. Once you have reported the theft to the competent authorities and contacted your insurance agent the next course of action is to repair the damage:

1. Close new accounts opened in your name by calling the company "fraud department. Ask them to close the account and send you a letter confirming that the fraudulent account does not belong to you, you are not responsible, and it has been removed from your credit report.
2. Clear bogus charges of your accounts by calling the fraud department of each company, saying the charges were fraudulent and ask them to move these loads. Ask the company to send you a letter confirming that they have removed the fraudulent charges.
3. Fix your credit report writing to each of the three credit bureaus. Ask them to block information on the report that came from the identity theft. A sample letter can be found here.
   1. Equifax: PO Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
   2. Experian: PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
   3. TransUnion: Assistance to victims of fraud Department, PO Box 00, Chester, PA 1022-00
4. Considering the addition of an extended fraud alert or credit freeze to help prevent further abuse your personal information.

ALERT dE EXTENDED FRAUD	FREEZE dE CREDIT
allows you to access your credit report for as long as companies take steps to verify your identity.	Stop all access to your credit report unless you lift or remove it.
free to place and remove if someone stole your identity. Guaranteed by federal law.	Cost and availability depend on your state law. There may be a small fee to place, lift and remove.
lasts 7 years	Lasts until you lift or remove
Set by contacting each 3 credit bureaus: 1. Report that someone has stolen your identity. Request an extended fraud alert 2. Fill out the necessary forms and send a copy of your Identity Theft Report	Set by contacting each of the three credit bureaus: .. 1 . Report anyone. stolen your identity 2. Ask the company to put a freeze on your credit file 3. Pay the fees required by state law
alerts for fraud .. • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 • Experian: 1-888-397-3742 • Equifax: 1-888-766-0008	for credit gels: • TransUnion: 1-888-09-8872 • Experian: 1-888-397-3742 • Equifax: 1-800-349-9960

Make sure you write that you have contacted and when, and keep all documents related to compensation for damage. Identity theft recovery is easier with a plan. You can protect yourself by buying a more personal politics of identity theft. The cover will alleviate some of the financial burden if you discover that you are the next victim of identity theft.

For more information on identity theft coverage, contact your local independent insurance agent today.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

- See more: http://www.neacelukens.com/blog

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