Hey, That's Not Me: Get Your Credit Report (cont.)
Contributed by Caryn e Zent
What do I do? My credit report is suspicious!
It happens: you look at your credit report and find something wrong, or you get a strange credit card statement in the mail or phone call from a creditor with which you have no known account. What do you do? First of all, don't panic. It's easier said than done, but these days, unfortunately, creditors are experienced in dealing with fraud and identity theft. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-EXPERIAN), and TransUnion (1-800-680-7289).
Contact each of them immediately, now, right away. You can request that a fraud alert be placed in your file. Calling will not preserve your rights, so it is best to also send a letter via certified mail to the fraud division of each bureau. You should do the same with any creditor for accounts with suspicious activity or those opened fraudulently. You should also file a report with your local law enforcement agency, because often the creditor will require proof of the crime.
As you file reports and investigate, keep specific records of your efforts, including copies of correspondence and logs of telephone calls. There is no instant fix, but acting immediately is the best thing you can do.
