Coping With ID Theft
How to Cope With Identity Theft
Here are some important tips on how to Cope with identity theft, for shoppers and merchants.
How do I cope with identity theft?
Consider your identity theft incident as your "case." Your primary goals are to:- close
fraudulent accounts;
- clear
yourself of responsibility for any debts or other criminal
activities the thief has perpetrated in your name;
- ensure that
your credit report is correct, and;
- find out as
much information about the suspect as you can so you can share
that information with the police and the FTC.
Develop a plan of action to accomplish these goals. Make a list of the documents you'll need and a list of companies from which you'll need to get those documents. See What are the first steps I should take if I am a victim of identity theft? and How do I prove that I'm an identity theft victim?
When contacting a company, don't assume that the person you talk to will give you all the information you need. Determine in advance what information or result you want and develop a list of questions or a strategy to achieve your goal. For example, the company you call first may say they weren't the ones that extended the credit to the thief. But if you ask, they may be able to tell you which company that did. Listen carefully and take notes. Don't end the call until you're sure you understand everything you've been told. If you don't feel you're getting the help you need, ask to speak to a supervisor.
The following tips can help keep your case organized:- Follow up in writing with all contacts you've made on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipt requested.
- Keep copies of all correspondence or forms you send.
- Keep a
list of anyone you talk to, what you were told, and the date of
the conversation. Use
Chart Your Course of Action.
- Keep
originals of supporting documentation, like police reports and
letters to and from creditors; share copies only.
- Set up a
filing system for easy access to your paperwork.
- Keep old files even if you think your case is closed. Although most cases once resolved, stay resolved, in some cases, problems can crop up again. Should this happen, you'll be glad you kept your files.
Source: FTC
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Visit our Shopping Guides and Credit Card Fraud sections for useful information.
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