| Life as an Identity Theft Victim could be stressful | | | | ensure that the relevant parties truly received |
| and intimidating. Stressful as you need to ensure | | | | your mail. Remember that at this juncture, how |
| that all financial and credit accounts are in order or | | | | ever you react to the situation will reflect your |
| closed and opened new again. Negotiation with | | | | maturity or inability to cope with the difficult |
| bankers and lenders could lead to less favorable | | | | situation ahead. |
| terms and conditions should you not be in a | | | | Contain all your correspondence within your bank |
| financially stable situation. | | | | or lender's fraud investigation officers and never |
| Here we outline the fundamental reactions if you | | | | discuss with the customer service or bank |
| should find yourself becoming the victim of | | | | managers. Limiting discussion to the fraud |
| Identity Theft: | | | | investigation department would ensure security |
| Immediately call the related bankers or lenders | | | | and lessen confusion on the progress of |
| whose bills contain the bad charges. Essentially, in | | | | investigation. |
| most situations, you are given a grace period of | | | | Access Security is critical. Whether you use ATM |
| about a month to notify the credit company or | | | | or Online Banking to access your accounts, there |
| lender should your find the transaction suspect. | | | | is need to add a new layer of security to your |
| You will then be legally protected. | | | | existing or new accounts. Contact you r banker |
| Inform them that you suspect the transactions | | | | or lender and request that they create an |
| are fraudulent, that you have become a victim of | | | | additional layer of security in the form of |
| identity theft and request that the fraudulent | | | | password for your account access purposes. |
| charges be removed from your accounts. You will | | | | Understand that if you ID or SSN has been |
| be required to provide documented proof to | | | | accessed and used, nearly all facets of your |
| support your claims. If many of your accounts | | | | identity would be infringed. Imagine someone living |
| are involved, the is a high probability that your | | | | your life, spending your money and credit. Hence, |
| may be required to close all the affected | | | | it is critical that you comb all your financial |
| accounts and open new ones. Report the crime | | | | accounts and statements until you have fully |
| to the police should your checks have been stolen | | | | cleared all outstanding fraudulent cases. Even at |
| and used, and obtain a copy of their report to | | | | the aftermath, you should keep up the good habit |
| forward to your bank and the merchant who | | | | of frequently reviewing your credit reports from |
| cashed the fraudulent check. | | | | the big 3 and ensure that your credit scores are |
| Staying focused and organized with a cool head at | | | | maintain at a high level. |
| this juncture is very critical. Keep a clear log of all | | | | The pain, agony and stress associated with |
| the phone conversations, with whom you spoke | | | | Identity Theft far outweigh the financial |
| to and what are the resolutions proposed or | | | | devastation at times extending over a period |
| agreed upon. Collate all related correspondence in | | | | stretching from months. Hence, you need great |
| folders for easy reference. And the most critical | | | | patience and time to ensure all your Identity |
| aspect is to ensure that all correspondence must | | | | Theft problems are eventually weeded out. |
| be certified return receipt requested so as to | | | | |