Page 3 - Identity Theft.pdf
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need to send to other businesses new line of credit yourself. There
where fraudulent accounts were are usually fees to freeze and
opened -- not because the unfreeze that vary by state, but
government will start investigating generally range between $5 and $10.
your personal case.
If this is too much of a hassle, you
The form asks you questions about can put a free fraud alert on your
who you are and what accounts were credit reports instead. This will
impacted. It doesn't ask for any other require creditors to take additional
documents or even your Social steps to verify your identity before
Security number, said John Krebs, issuing credit.
an attorney at the Federal Trade
Commission. The fraud alert usually lasts for 90
days and can be renewed. But after
you fill out the identity theft report
online, you can request an extended
fraud alert that stays on your credit
report for seven years.
r Request, in writing, to close
fraudulent accounts
Contact the fraud department (not
customer service) at each business
where a new account was opened in
your name to explain that someone
The website will also provide you stole your identity and request that
with a recovery plan after you submit the account be closed.
the information. The plan will vary
depending on what kind of accounts The FTC provides a sample letter
were created or hacked. you can use to dispute these
accounts. Include a copy of your
r Put a freeze or fraud alert on identity theft report. In some cases,
your credit reports the creditor may also ask for a police
report, which you must file with local
You can request the three credit law enforcement first.
rating agencies to freeze your credit.
This will prevent anyone from "The creditor will have a higher
opening additional new accounts in tendency to believe you if you have
your name. You'll have to request to the police report," Wu said.
lift the freeze if you want to open a
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