Avoid credit crad fraud


Protect Your Credit

Identity theft and credit card fraud are
among the fastest growing crimes in the U.S.Experian:  1-888-EXPERIAN
It is estimated that between $2 billion to $3
billion in credit card fraud is commitedTransUnion:  1-800-680-7289
every year. The ways theives are able to
gather the personal identifications of theThe credit bureau you contact will then
victims of this fraud vary. They includecontact the remaining two bureaus and all
stealing credit cards, stealing fromthree will send you a current copy of your
mailboxes, going through the trash of thecredit report, free of charge. When you
victims, and simply looking over the shoulderreceive these reports, look them over
of  victims.carefully. Note any accounts you didn't
authorize or debts you don't recognize. Also
However, there are several steps you can takecheck that all your personal information,
immediately if your credit card becomes lostsuch as name, address, and Social Security
or stolen, or if you find bills in your mailnumber are correct. If any incorrect or
that you do not recognize or charges you didfraudulant information is found, contact the
not  authorize.credit bureau immediately to have it removed.
Then continue to check your credit report on
The first step you should take is to initiatea regular basis to insure no further
a fraud alert on all of your credit cardfradulant  activity  is  found.
accounts. There is a common misconception
that by doing this it will prevent you fromAfter initiating a fraud alert, you should
obtaining any further credit cards orthen immediately close any accounts you think
financing in the future. This is simplymay have been violated and submit an ID theft
untrue. What a fraud alert will do is requireaffidavit to the credit card companies in
creditors to contact you by telephone beforequestion. You should then file a police
any new accounts are opened in your name. Itreport with your local police department and
will also require creditors to contact you byalso file a case with the Federal Trade
telephone before making any requested changesCommission.
to any existing accounts, such as increasing
your  line  of  credit.Identity theft is a federal offense with
stiff penalties for those who dare to attempt
To place a fraud alert on your accounts,it and are caught. By following these simple
contact any one of the three major creditsteps you can protect your credit and prevent
bureaus:yourself from becoming a victim of this very
serious crime.
Equifax:  1-800-525-6285



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