Guide 2 Identity Theft
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Shredders
Basic Information
What is Identity Theft
How It Happens
Types of Identity Theft
Warning Signs
Commercial Identity Theft
Access Codes
Watch Out For
Credit Card Risks
Public Records
Debit & ATM Cards
Passports
Spoofs & Phishing
Stolen Checks
Unsolicited Card Offers
Security Tips
Credit Reporting Agencies
If Your Identity Is Stolen
Secure Passwords
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Guide 2 Identity Theft > Credit Reporting Agencies
Credit Reporting Agencies
Credit reporting agencies hold a personal credit file about you – and you have the right to see it. In some places, this service is available for free, although in others there may be a small administrative fee.
It is a good idea to check your credit file occasionally, especially if you think that you may be exposed to the risk of identity theft. One especially vulnerable time is when you have moved house and your mail deliveries may have gone astray. Accordingly, a check of your file a few months after the date of your move is strongly recommended.
Check your file for activity involving companies with which you know you have had no contact, or for other transactions that you do not recognise. This could indicate that your identity is being misused by someone, especially if you have other indications from elsewhere that something unusual is happening in your affairs – for example, if you received a bill for something that you did not buy.
If you have reason to think your credit standing may have been threatened by identity theft, you should advise the credit reporting agencies that you may have been the victim of identity theft fraud. You will probably be asked to give your reasons for thinking that, to help with their investigation. You may also receive guidance on what steps you should take given the nature of the suspected theft.
In the USA, you should issue a fraud alert to the three main credit-reporting agencies – the first one you call will probably undertake to issue it on to the others if you ask:-
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285;
http://www.equifax.com;
P.O. Box 740241,
Atlanta,
GA 30374- 0241 - Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742);
http://www.experian.com;
P.O. Box 9532,
Allen,
TX 75013 - TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289;
http://www.transunion.com;
Fraud Victim Assistance Division,
P.O. Box 6790,
Fullerton,
CA 92834-6790
- Call Credit: 0870 060 1414;
http://www.callcredit.co.uk;
Consumer Services,
Callcredit Limited,
PO Box 491,
Leeds,
LS3 1WZ - Equifax: 0870 010 2091;
http://www.equifax.co.uk;
Equifax Plc,
Capital House,
25 Chapel Street,
London
NW1 5DS - Experian: 0800 656 9000;
http://www.experian.co.uk;
Experian Ltd,
PO Box 7710,
Nottingham,
NG80 7WE
In the UK, if you suspect your identity is being misused you can also lodge an alert with http://www.cifas.org.uk, which advises its members to take special care about confirming the identification of the applicant – including you – if your identity is used to obtain credit, open a bank account, apply for state services, etc.
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