We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name, address, social security number,
credit information, etc. Unfortunately, the author of this piece has firsthand knowledge, because his wallet was
stolen last month.
Within a week the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a
credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from the Department of Motor Vehicles to
change his driving record information on-line, and more. Here's some critical information to limit the damage in
case this happens to you or someone you know.
As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately. The key to successfully completing this is to
have the toll-free numbers and your credit card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can
find them easily. Having to hunt for them is additional stress you don't need at that point!
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your wallet was stolen. This proves to credit
providers you were diligent and is a first step toward an investigation to catch the culprits.
Here is what is perhaps most important. Call the three national credit - reporting organizations immediately to
place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a
bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any
company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to
authorize new credit.
By the time our victim was advised to do this - almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.
There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which he knew about before
placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw his wallet away this
weekend (someone turned it in to authorities). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.
The numbers for the credit bureaus are:
Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
The Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at
1-800-269-0271.
Pass this information along - it could help someone else!
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