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 thieve(s) 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)!
On a personal note, I remember loosing a MC and until got the toll
free number from information, etc. I was a wreck. 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 ever 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 2 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) 1-800-301-7195 Trans Union
1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration also has a fraud
line at 1-800-269-0271
We pass along
jokes, we pass along just about everything....do think
about
passing this information along ... it could help someone
else |
