|
|
|
|
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR IDENTITY IS STOLEN You receive your credit card statement only to see several items you don't recall purchasing. Is it possible that your identity has been stolen? Is someone committing personal fraud in your good name? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a consumer alert on the Identity Crisis and what you can do if your Identity is stolen. Should you find yourself the victim of identity theft, the FTC recommends you take the following three steps immediately. First, contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus. Have them flag your file with a fraud alert along with a statement requesting that creditors contact you for permission before opening any account in your name. Contact information for the three major credit bureaus is listed below Report Fraud Order Credit Report Web Site Equifax 800-525-6285 800-685-1111 www.equifax.com Experian 888-397-3742 888-397-3742 www.experian.com Trans Union 800-680-7289 800-916-8800 www.tuc.com Second, contact your creditors regarding accounts that may have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Call and ask to speak to someone in the security or fraud department. Make sure to follow up and call with a letter detailing procedures outlined in the Fair Credit Billing Act. Third, file a report with your local police department, or the police department in the community where the identity theft occurred. You should also file a complaint with the FTC by calling their Identity Theft Hotline at 877-438-4338, online or by mail. Their address is as follows: Identity Theft Clearinghouse Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 Be sure to ask for a free copy of ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name, a comprehensive consumer guide on how to prevent and recover from identity theft. |
|
Send mail to admin@branfordpolice.com with questions or comments about this web site.We can be contacted at:Branford Police Department 33 Laurel Street Branford, CT 06405 Telephone 203-481-4241
|
