Steps You Can Take To Restore Your Reputation

Note: Members of Identity Theft Shield will have any needed services done for them for prevention and  in case of any issue. Click here for details or to join. The first step to restoring your reputation is reestablishing your credit. If you follow the steps outlined above you can easily start this process. There are instances where local or state police agencies may not have a formal process for filing an identity theft report of crime. If you do have a difficult time, provide a copy of your ID Theft Complaint form and inform the agency that police reports are very necessary for securing your rights and reestablishing your identity through major credit agencies. Most creditors require that consumers provide a police report before placing an extended fraud alert on someone’s credit. Creditors also often are more willing to resolve credit issues when a formal police report is filed. To prove your identity after an identity crime occurs, you will need proof of your identity which may come in the form of a driver’s license, social security card and possibly a copy of the police report your filed accompanied by the ID Theft Affidavit provided by the FTC. Most people wonder if they should request a new social security number after an identity theft. Only in very rare circumstances does the social security administration issue new social security numbers to victims. They may do this, for example, if you have exuded much time and effort attempting to resolve problems resulting from identity theft but continue to face additional harassment or credit problems. A new social security number however, many not be the answer to your problems. Credit bureaus may combine your old social security number with your new social security number, so if you are having difficulty resolving issues with credit card agencies a new number will not help you. If the credit bureaus didn’t do this, you may still find you have trouble securing credit because you will lack any credit history. The best thing you can do if someone does take advantage of your credit is attack back. File all the complaints you need to gather reports and evidence. Change your credit accounts and your bank accounts, and make sure you let your local police agency and Attorney General Office know a theft has occurred. By taking these steps, you are taking back your life. This is an important step for many identity theft victims. Many victims first reaction is to feel helpless and violated. Know that this is very normal. If you visit the Federal Trade Commission’s main site, you will find links to support groups and valuable pamphlets that can help you through this tough time. Remember that, most likely, you were just unlucky. Most identity thieves do not target individuals specifically, they just get whatever information they can on an individual and abuse it as fast as they can. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and make sure you have a friend or loved one you can lean on in your time of need. Make sure you check out the resources listed below. You’ll find links to information sites and links to various forms you can use to file complaints. You’ll also find contact information for each of the major credit bureaus so you can get a copy of your credit report or file a complaint if necessary, or even fraud alert. Remember, YOU are in charge of your life and what happens in it, not an identity thief. The one thing an identity thief can’t take away from you is your dignity, and your ability to overcome any obstacle they place in your path. As more and more people become aware of the dangers of identity theft, more people will work together to help combat and prevent this awful and invasive crime. If the worst has happened and you find out you have indeed been a victim of identity theft (or have reason to suspect it) you must take IMMEDIATE action to control the damage. Members of Report to the Credit Bureaus If you are a victim of identity theft you must report it immediately to one of the three major credit bureaus. You only need to call one bureau to place the fraud alert and they will forward the information to the other two. Your SSN will be flagged for 90 days to prevent a thief from trying to obtain new credit with your identification. If you are certain that your identity has been stolen you can request an extended fraud alert. The extended fraud alert will remain on your report for seven years and will require you to submit an identity theft police report. Report Stolen Mail If you believe that your mail has been stolen you must contact the nearest Postal Inspector. You can look for the number in your white pages under Government Services, call 1-800-ASK-USPS or search online at http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-is.html. Note: Members of Identity Theft Shield will have any needed services done for them in case of any issue. Click here for details or to join. While the information above is provided for those living in the US the steps are nearly the same in other countries. Here are some links and numbers to credit and police agencies in the UK, Canada and Australia. Note Identity Theft Shield is also available in Canada Note: Members of Identity Theft Shield will have any needed services done for them in case of any issue. Click here for details or to join. Contact Numbers for Canada If you are a victim of identity theft in Canada use the following contact information; Credit Bureaus ·    Trans Union Canada: 1-877-525-3823 (Quebec Residents: 1-877-713-3393) www.tuc.ca   ·    Equifax Canada: 1-800-465-7166 www.equifax.ca  Equifax Canada Inc. Consumer Relations Department, Box 190 Jean Talon Station, Montreal, Quebec, H1S 2Z2 Hotline PhoneBusters National Call Centre – with a mandate to gather information and intelligence about identity theft PhoneBusters will provide advice and assistance.      Toll free at 1-888-495-8501 Contact Numbers for the UK If you are a victim of identity theft in the UK use the following contact information; Credit Bureaus ·    Call Credit: 44 (0) 113 244 1555 www.callcredit.co.uk/  Callcredit plc, One Park Lane, Leeds. West Yorkshire, LS3 1EP.   ·    Equifax: 0870 010 2091 for the CIFAS Protective Registration Service www.equifax.co.uk/  Credit File Advice Centre PO Box 1140, Bradford, BD1 5US ·    Experian: 0870 241 6212 (M-F 8-6, Sat 9-1) www.experian.co.uk/  Experian Ltd, PO Box 9000, Nottingham, NG80 7WP Police File a report at your local Police Station. Locate the closest station at http://police.uk. Contact Numbers for Australia If you are a victim of identity theft in Australia use the following contact information; Credit Bureaus ·    Baycorp Advantage: (02) 9464 6000 www.baycorpadvantage.com  Public Access Division Credit Reference Association of Australia PO Box 966, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060 ·    Dun and Bradstreet (Australia) Pty Ltd: 13 23 33 www.dnb.com.au  Attention: Public Access Centre PO Box 7405, St Kilda Rd VIC 3004 The Australian Crime Commission The Australian Crime Commission operates an Identity Fraud intelligence facility that can assist victims in notifying some Australian and State government agencies that their identity has been stolen. Tel: (02) 6243-6666 Contact your local police for instruction if the information for your country is not listed or is incorrect.