| Repairing credit history after identity theft can take as | | | | fraud. |
| long as two years and sometimes this issue gets so | | | | If you pay for the disputed item and your dispute is |
| complex it may even mean having to hire a lawyer. | | | | found to be valid, you will receive a credit. If you decide |
| This is because the evidence of identity theft can | | | | not to pay for the item while it is in dispute, and the |
| keep turning up for years after your card is | | | | company decides that the charge is legitimate, you |
| appropriated in the form of false income reported on | | | | may be charged back interest on the dispute. |
| tax returns and grants or loans that might have been | | | | If you report that a charge is fraudulent, you may be |
| applied for. | | | | asked by your card issuer to sign an affidavit that you |
| If you do happen to be the sorry victim of identity | | | | did not make the purchases in question. An affidavit is |
| there are some steps that you can take to | | | | a written statement you sign under oath, swearing that |
| immediately do a bit of damage control so that any | | | | the contents are true to the best of your knowledge. |
| damage done to your credit history will be minimal. | | | | Most credit card companies will provide you with this |
| First of all it is crucial to always open your credit card | | | | form. Sign, date and return the fraud affidavit promptly |
| statements and read them. Scan them for errors. If | | | | to the credit card company so that they can process |
| you do spy a charge that you didn't make, contact | | | | your case and remove the disputed charges from |
| your credit card company immediately. Once you tell | | | | your account. |
| them you are suspicious of a charge get ready to be | | | | Make sure you do all of this fast. Unfortunately, if the |
| told that you must wait because you can't dispute | | | | 60-day window for disputing charges has expired, |
| "unbilled activity" until it shows up on a monthly | | | | there is little she can do except to request that the |
| statement. | | | | credit card company make an exception. It is worth |
| The minute you phone the credit card company will | | | | asking, even if the company is not required to do so. |
| probably try to put you off. Tell the credit card | | | | However within those sixty days your credit report |
| company that this is more than just a dispute--you | | | | can be done a lot of damage. |
| suspect fraud and then immediately sit down and write | | | | It is very important to send dispute letters to the |
| the company a dispute letter. This should speed the | | | | correct address for billing disputes. This is usually listed |
| entire process along. | | | | on the back of your monthly billing statement. If you |
| In some cases, the card company provides a form to | | | | include your letter with your bill payment it will at best |
| complete about your dispute. Provide a full description | | | | delay your dispute and at the worst, have it be lost in a |
| of the disputed item--including the merchant's name, | | | | slush pile at the company for more than sixty days |
| transaction date, amount of the charge and the posting | | | | making you liable for the fraudulent charges. |
| date. Describe the reason for the dispute in a few | | | | You should also immediately phone up any creditors |
| sentences. Making a federal case out of things tempts | | | | listed and then follow up with a letter that informs them |
| the employees at credit card companies to put you | | | | all that you have been a victim of credit card fraud |
| off. | | | | and that you would like to request that they not report |
| You do not have to pay the disputed transaction | | | | any delinquent payments to any of the three credit |
| amount while the company looks into your reason for | | | | reporting agencies. |
| complaining. You must, however, pay all billed charges | | | | If you are having any trouble getting anywhere with |
| that are not in dispute (this is the stuff that YOU have | | | | the credit card companies and you live in the United |
| charged up.) If this is not done while you wait for the | | | | States, then you can get some help from the Federal |
| fraudulent charges to be cleared, your account may | | | | Trade Commission (FTC. |
| be reported as delinquent. A refusal to deal with | | | | The Federal Trade Commission ( offers free |
| business as usual (as in paying your credit card bill) is | | | | publications on credit cards as well as information on |
| how most credit reports end up having a lot of | | | | billing rights and how to avoid credit card fraud. |
| damage done to them as the result of credit card | | | | National banks (the word "National" or the initials N.A. |