Comments on: I am a victim of identity theft. How can I handle this? http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this Answers to all your questions about identity theft. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:09:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Annetta http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this/comment-page-1#comment-2543 Annetta Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:14:32 +0000 http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this#comment-2543 quickly notify the police , cc companies and the 3 bureaus toi place an identity fraud alert on your report so that no new accounts can be opened w/o you authorization quickly notify the police , cc companies and the 3 bureaus toi place an identity fraud alert on your report so that no new accounts can be opened w/o you authorization

]]> By: Sgt Big Red http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this/comment-page-1#comment-2542 Sgt Big Red Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:47:24 +0000 http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this#comment-2542 Chances are someone sold your information to someone to use. This is called piggybacking and it provides a good credit history for those who could not get credit in the first place. This is why the debts are being paid on time and not just someone who stole your ID and charged up debts and dissapeared without paying. However, it is still illegal so you need to do the following: First of all DO NOT place a "freeze" on your credit reports. You will have to pay a fee to do so (some states allow you to do so for free but only to place the freeze) and it also costs a fee to have it lifted if you want to apply for a loan. A Freeze is the last resort. Call the toll-free fraud number of any of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies and place an initial fraud alert on your credit reports. An alert can help stop someone from opening new credit accounts in your name. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285;; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241 Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742);; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289;; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 An initial alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen or if you've been taken in by a "phishing" scam. When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit report, you're entitled to one free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. Hope this helps answer your question. Chances are someone sold your information to someone to use. This is called piggybacking and it provides a good credit history for those who could not get credit in the first place. This is why the debts are being paid on time and not just someone who stole your ID and charged up debts and dissapeared without paying.

However, it is still illegal so you need to do the following:
First of all DO NOT place a “freeze” on your credit reports. You will have to pay a fee to do so (some states allow you to do so for free but only to place the freeze) and it also costs a fee to have it lifted if you want to apply for a loan. A Freeze is the last resort.

Call the toll-free fraud number of any of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies and place an initial fraud alert on your credit reports. An alert can help stop someone from opening new credit accounts in your name.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285;; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742);; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289;; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

An initial alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen or if you’ve been taken in by a “phishing” scam. When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit report, you’re entitled to one free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies.

Hope this helps answer your question.

]]> By: stan c http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this/comment-page-1#comment-2541 stan c Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:28:01 +0000 http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this#comment-2541 It's possible that it just got posted under your name in error. Call Trans Union Customer Service toll free @ 1-800-916-8800, then say or type in the reference # which should be on top of credit report. That will transfer to a live individual who should be able help resolve the problem. For Experian, call 1-800-509-8495 then type in your area code. For Equifax 1-866-585-9451 and type in their reference number. It’s possible that it just got posted under your name in error. Call Trans Union Customer Service toll free @ 1-800-916-8800, then say or type in the reference # which should be on top of credit report. That will transfer to a live individual who should be able help resolve the problem. For Experian, call 1-800-509-8495 then type in your area code. For Equifax 1-866-585-9451 and type in their reference number.

]]> By: purplestar http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this/comment-page-1#comment-2540 purplestar Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:23:04 +0000 http://theidentitytheftcenter.com/identity-theft/i-am-a-victim-of-identity-theft-how-can-i-handle-this#comment-2540 You need to do several things to get this cleared up. It make take a few months or up to years to get this cleared up on your credit report. I' ve seen this happen to numerous people and they are still fighting to have things remove from their credit report b/c of identity theft. 1. You need to get a copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus and dispute whatever is wrong on your credit report. After you have submitted the errors on your credit report they have 30 days to get back in contact with you. If they do not get back in contact with you it automatically comes off your credit report. 2. You need to go down to the police station and file a report. 3. You need to put a credit alert(i.e. with the 3 credit bureaus) on your account so no new credit can be open using your name or social. 4. If you have the extra money hire a private detective. Odds are you may be able to find the culprits faster since they are still making payments on these things using your social security number. You need to do several things to get this cleared up. It make take a few months or up to years to get this cleared up on your credit report. I’ ve seen this happen to numerous people and they are still fighting to have things remove from their credit report b/c of identity theft.

1. You need to get a copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus and dispute whatever is wrong on your credit report. After you have submitted the errors on your credit report they have 30 days to get back in contact with you. If they do not get back in contact with you it automatically comes off your credit report.

2. You need to go down to the police station and file a report.

3. You need to put a credit alert(i.e. with the 3 credit bureaus) on your account so no new credit can be open using your name or social.

4. If you have the extra money hire a private detective. Odds are you may be able to find the culprits faster since they are still making payments on these things using your social security number.

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