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