When Identity Theft Steals Your Credit Report (cont.)
Contributed by Roland Head
If your credit report has been affected by identity theft
It can be a real uphill battle to clear your good name if you have become a victim. Write everything down and keep good records. Also keep track of the time spent in the case that restitution becomes an issue.
The first thing to do is to contact one of the three credit bureaus to let them know you have become a victim of identity theft. They should put a fraud alert on your files. That means you will be notified in the event of a company researching your credit report. The fraud alert generally lasts only 90-180 days but if you put it in writing it can be extended to seven years.
Get the names and phone numbers of all the credit grantors who opened accounts that were fraudulent. You will be asked by creditors and debt collectors to fill out fraud affidavits. Go to Federal Trade Commission's Web site to get a form.
Cancel all existing credit cards that have been used fraudulently and ask for new ones with new account numbers.
File a report of identity theft with your local police giving them a complete listing of all accounts involved. Get the name of your investigator and give it to your creditors.
Identity theft is a real hassle and unfortunately it can happen to just about anyone. If it does happen to you, follow the steps above to redeem your credit report.
