If you notice unauthorized charges on your credit accounts, contact the lenders as soon as you can. Notify them that your accounts are being used by someone else. To check if your credit has been damaged, contact each of the three largest credit bureaus and get copies of your credit reports. They should be free if you are a fraud victim. If you find unauthorized accounts, call the fraud department of each credit reporting bureau and ask how to place a "security alert" on your file.
The credit bureaus usually require a written request including your full name, current mailing address, Social Security number, date of birth and any previous addresses for the past two to five years. In most cases, the credit reporting bureaus will ask that you get a police report detailing the criminal activity. Call the non-emergency number for your local police department and explain your situation. According to many victims of identity theft, some police departments are not always helpful with this type of request. However, as the crimes of credit card fraud and identity theft become more well known, police departments are becoming more responsive in helping you prove you are a victim.
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If you notice unauthorized charges on your credit accounts, contact the lenders as soon as you can. Notify them that your accounts are being used by someone else. To check if your credit has been damaged, contact each of the three largest credit bureaus and get copies of your credit reports. They should be free if you are a fraud victim. If you find unauthorized accounts, call the fraud department of each credit reporting bureau and ask how to place a "security alert" on your file.
The credit bureaus usually require a written request including your full name, current mailing address, Social Security number, date of birth and any previous addresses for the past two to five years. In most cases, the credit reporting bureaus will ask that you get a police report detailing the criminal activity. Call the non-emergency number for your local police department and explain your situation. According to many victims of identity theft, some police departments are not always helpful with this type of request. However, as the crimes of credit card fraud and identity theft become more well known, police departments are becoming more responsive in helping you prove you are a victim.