Would you know what to do if you suspect that your personal information had been stolen and used by thieves to open new accounts? It's important that you take the right actions to clear your name as quickly as possible.
In 2005, the laws were changed to allow anyone to review their credit report yearly without having to pay a fee. You can also get a free credit report if you were denied credit during the previous 60 days. By reviewing your credit report periodically, you have a better chance of stopping any unauthorized activity more quickly. There are services that, for a small fee, will monitor your information each business day to ensure that no one else has access to your accounts.
If the worst should happen and your identity is stolen, do you know what to do first and where to report the crime? Are you aware of what forms need to be filled out, or where to send them? Often, the police won't take an active role or even open an investigation. There will be considerable paperwork to complete and send to all of the responsible companies and agencies.
The process of clearing your name can seem overwhelming at times. Having guidelines to walk you through the stages can make the difference between effectively submitting your documentation, and battling through months of bureaucratic red tape.
Although the Federal Trade Commission is the lead agency for identity theft issues, there are a number of other federal and state agencies that have jurisdiction, depending upon the type of crime committed. You may need to contact a host of agencies, companies, credit bureaus, and investigators. It frequently takes many months or even years to correct the errors.
You'll also need to keep very accurate files of all contacts, including conversations and written correspondence. It may be easiest to make a chart and include date, agency or company, contact person, and a summary of the information discussed. Keep copies of all original documents, and only send out copies. Send them certified mail, return receipt requested. That way, you have documentation of when your letters were received.
With patience, determination, and a "game plan" describing what to do, you can get through this very difficult experience and begin to put your life back together.
Norm McAlister is a writer and consultant with a background in area of security. For additional information about protecting yourself from identity theft, go to http://www.SafeguardYourInfo.com
Personal Finance: Booking Bamboozle Washington Post If you are making travel arrangements online, be sure to keep an eye out for a questionable but growing trend on booking Web sites: 'pre-checked' boxes that ...
PersonalFinance: Your guide to Coverdells FOXBusiness (Linda Stern is a freelance writer. Any opinions in the column are hers. You can follow Linda Stern's financial notes on Twitter at ...
The week's 10 best Personal Finance stories MarketWatch By MarketWatch With no federal tax credit to entice buyers, today's home sellers have to get even more serious about making a deal. ...
Pet insurance is no laughing matter Telegraph.co.uk Having made four claims in four years, The Telegraph's Personal Finance Editor decides the time has come to write about pet insurance. ...
Google News
RELATED ARTICLESSingle Mother and Learning how to Save
Saving may seem easier if you were saving for a new car, or a vacation however when it comes to saving in general it may prove to be more challenging because you may not necessarily feel you are receiving a reward from it. However saving pays off, especially as a single mother.
Budgeting Before Buying
With interest rates being at an all-time low, I can understand the urgency for people wanting to purchase a home. But I caution the first-time home buyer to learn how to budget their money before buying a new home.
Tips To Save Money At The Supermarket
Are you interested in saving money off your grocery bills? If so, then a few "Smart Shopper" tips are all you need to start saving hundreds off your grocery bills!However you must make a few changes in the manner you shop for groceries. If you are willing to do so, just follow these shopping tips and you'll be well on your way to saving a pocketful.
Estate Planning Basics
You have probably accomplished a great deal with your life. Over the years you have worked, planned and saved.
Reduce College Debt with Scholarships
Six Scholarship judges were sitting around an ovaltable. Forms were piled into 50 boxes.
Expenses A - What Are They And What Can We Do About Them
It is crucial as an individual who is striving for financial freedom to be able to recognize the different type of expenses in our lives. It is a proven theory that it is easier to cut your expense than trying to earn more income.
Save Money Off Your Home Utility Bills
Many don't realize that our basic utility bills provide the perfect money saving opportunity for practically every household!Especially with today's energy crisis so prevalent throughout many of the states, you've probably heard this term - conservation.Guess what, conservation really means "using less".
Saving Money On Gasoline For Your Automobile
The gas that we fill our tanks with every week adds up to be quite an expensive bill over the months and years. Thirty dollars a week in gas adds up to over $1500 a year.
How to Balance Your Checkbook - Get a Calculator and Pencil and You are Ready To Go!
Despite how easy it is to balance a checkbook, very few people take the time to do it and the few who do, don't always do it the right way. If you write down in your checkbook ledger what should be deducted and added, you are on the right track - if not, start there and follow these nine easy steps to a balanced checkbook.
One Income Source Is Not Enough!
My personal opinion is that in today's new economy, it is wise to have multiple income streams. Reliance on one income source poses a risk to individuals, entrepreneurs, and even large corporations.
More Money? My Cup Runneth Over...But Im Still Thirsty
Most of us, especially those of us who have debtor's disease (if you have it you know what it is!), have commented or at least thought, "If I could just win the lottery, or sweepstakes, everything would be better." Unfortunately, even if that big dream did come true things probably would get worse instead of better.
Basic Bank Accounts Failing the Basic Needs of Consumers
The lists of bank and savings accounts that are available to most people are bewildering. A quick look at a comparison site like Moneynet or Moneyfacts will reveal thousands of different products.
Make or Break Your Retirement!
The Prudential has dubbed those who refuse to leave home as"kippers" or "kids in parents' pockets eroding retirementsavings". Recent research concludes 6.
What is ChexSystems?
Commonly referred to as the first of the three major "Check Systems" in the U.S.
Learning the Basics of Handling Money
With prices increasing all the time, saving money can be harder and harder to do. Here are some solutions for saving a little so that you can still meet your needs and still find ways to trim off a little for the future.
How To Reap The Rewards With Rewards Programs
Recently, many of these loyalty rewards programs have come to the realization that they must change how they put these programs together if they are going to increase their share of the market.One way that has changed over the years is how reward programs have started linking up with various partners to offer more types of rewards for it's members.
First Checking Account - When is it Time?
We all know that money doesn't grow on trees, but we all need it to survive. The use of cash will only go so far in life, as you can't send it through the mail.
A Quck Lesson in Saving Money
Did you have a piggy bank when you were a child? I did. Mine sat empty for a long time until my mother convinced me that I should really start putting my pennies and nickels into it in order to save my money for when I was older and wanted to buy something.
The Wright Place - Finances
Women have a love/hate relationship with money. Most of us do not enjoy dealing with it, yet we know not having finances under control will cause our entire family to suffer.
Succession Planning
Have you ever thought about what you are going to leave your children when you pass from this earth? Wouldn't it be a great feeling to be able to give them a really good head start in life - without actually spoiling them?It really doesn't matter how old you are, it's something that you need to be thinking about and planning for now. In the process of planning your inheritance and blessing your children, you are really making YOUR life better and more financially secure because you'll enjoy these benefits before you pass them on.
