We’ve all heard horror stories about
fraud that’s committed using your name, address, SS#,
credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece) have
first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last
month, and within a week the thieves ordered an expensive
monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit
card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway
computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my
driving record information online, and more.
But here’s some critical information
to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone
you know. As everyone always advises, cancel your credit
cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free
numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to
call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to
hunt for them is additional stress you WON’T need at
that point!)
File a police report immediately in the
jurisdiction where it was stolen. This proves to credit
providers you were diligent and is a first step toward an
investigation (if there ever is one).
But, here’s what is perhaps most
important...I never thought to do this: Call the three
national credit reporting organizations immediately to
place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had never
heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to
tell me an application for credit was made over the
Internet in my name. The alert means any company that
checks your credit knows your information was stolen and
they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this,
almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been
done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated
by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about
before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage
has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this
weekend; someone turned it in. It seems to have stopped
them in their tracks. The numbers are: Equifax
(1-800-525-6285); Experian (formerly TRW—1-888-397-3742;
Trans Union (1-800-680-7289).
Social Security Administration also has
a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271. Please pass this
information along; it could help someone else.
Submitted by Mike Kegley, but it did not
happen to him.
